Why aren't seniors wowed by tablets?
This is the title of the latest blog posting by Laurie Orlov.
As usual the author makes a lot of good points. The latest Pew data showed that the 50-65 year olds in the US have increased their use of tablets, over the last year, from 8% to 15% but only 7% of the 65+ are using the devices.
The main profile of a typical tablet user is at the wealthy end of the spectrum and of course they need to have broadband access. A lot of older people don't fit that bill. So far I agree with the argument.
Where I depart from the logic is Laurie Orlov's 'pet rock' syndrome that argues that people don't really need a tablet. Of course she is right, in the same way as I really don't 'need' to 90% of the stuff I purchase .. but I do.
I suspect that at the core of the argument is that she doesn't see the point in the tablets herself and is falling into the trap, where I spend most of my time, of extrapolating the universe from her own opinions.
I believe that tablets will be (are for many) a key component of people's lives. The nature of the devices, touch screen, variable luminosity, single application interface etc. make them perfect for older people. As the price falls I think I will be proved right. Dick Stroud
3 Comments:
My more-significant-than-I-am other (middle 50s) wanted a tablet, but opted for a new laptop. I was influential in this decision, opining that within the next three years they will come in all different shapes and sizes and flavors, do many different things - or not, depending on your needs and wants. Some will be very large, thin, and very close to unbreakable. At the moment they may look like must-have futuristic candy, but in reality are still gooey and drippy.
Sure, the percentages will change as Boomers get older. (Meaning, in developed countries 50% of seventy year-olds will have a tablet in ten years - or something like that.)
Tablets are great for seniors. They are lightweight, easy to use and can be held while sitting in a chair. However, even when a senior know she wants this device, well-meaning family advice or gifting can keep her from getting it.
Hi Dick: I thought the same thing when I read the post.
It's really short-sighted to look at the low usage stats right now and say: "See, old people don't want these things!" When the TV came out, were seniors the first in line to buy one? I doubt it -- they already had radios, what did they need a TV for?
My mom is in her later 50s and said she wanted an iPad since the first time she saw one used on TV. Over and over my dad called it a "toy" and said all they needed was a laptop. Finally he relented and bought her one for Christmas, and she LOVES it (he does too). She's emailing me, reading blogs, scanning Pinterest. It's funny because I don't even have an iPad! She has come so far. Just a few years ago she used to type full URLs into the Yahoo! search box to get to websites.
Granted, my mom is not a senior citizen -- but it's not like she's programming apps herself. Anyone can learn how to browse the web with a little help and curiosity. I think as more people take the time to show cool technology like the iPad to the older people in their lives, the more demand we'll see from that age group.
Jamie
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