Microsoft works on senior market
May 3, 2008 – 1:08 pm
People 65 years and older are one of the fastest growing online demographics in the U.S. as of a few years ago, and in the U.K. around 16 percent of over-65s are on the Internet.
Microsoft recently announced a new project to offer a ’senior PCs’ to the older crowd in the U.K. There are no details out there now on much it will cost or when it’ll be available. However Microsoft has ‘SeniorPCs’ available for purchase on its website. It looks like these PCs are just slightly overpriced HP computers with some extra software to make things easier for seniors. I wonder what that means? From the site:
SeniorPCs are HP computers that come equipped with user-friendly software specifically geared to senior living. Think of it as a simplified way to do it all: e-mailing, word processing, plus managing prescriptions, finances, travel planning and photos. There are even word games and number games for keeping the puzzle skills sharp. Each SeniorPC also comes with an HP color printer.
Sounds to me like the same old Windows computer creatively marketed to seniors.
I don’t see how taking a computer and slapping a new name on it is going to make it any less intimidating or financially accessible for the older crowd. I wonder what Microsoft’s U.K. partnership will yield anything different.
Is it intimidation or apathy that keep seniors from adopting technology as quickly as the rest? What might overcome these barriers for seniors?
2 Responses to “Microsoft works on senior market”
A lot of people seem to think that ALL seniors are total illiterates when it comes to technology. That stereotype really bothers me, because it’s just not true. And worse yet, it further creates barriers to commercialization for this demographic. Think about it… Most boomers worked with computers before retiring. According to AARP, and from what I’ve heard, they’re neither intimidated nor apathetic!
As the developer of OnTimeRx, the prescription manager software that was selected for the SeniorPC, I feel this senior-targeted marketing approach is a very good thing, and here’s why:
Being able to manage one’s own medications successfully is a requirement for independent living. The OnTimeRx prescription manager was included as a simple, practical solution that enables and empowers seniors to maintain their independence, which can prevent potential health problems caused by medication noncompliance. What’s that worth in healthcare dollars? Priceless!
If a senior sees a truly practical use for a computer, there’s a powerful incentive to learn how to get around on it. These computers may be just the ticket to help overcome several other barriers – not the least of which is resistance to change. Very few are too old to learn new tricks…
We’ve all struggled to “give something back” to the parent or grandparent who has everything. These systems are really designed as a gift that keeps on giving by enabling families to stay connected through email and the Internet. To overcome one major barrier, the package is as “plug and play” as they could make it. But for the family who doesn’t have a home-grown geek to plug it in, the GeekSquad will install a SeniorPC and make sure everything is set up.
Convenience comes at a price, but those SeniorPCs could be a very small price to pay for healthy and engaged seniors! With a little government funding, who knows how many billions of healthcare dollars might be saved in the long run?
By Susan Torrico on May 17, 2008
Certainly people who are retiring now are going to have more exposure to computers. However from my experience there are still quite a few seniors who have managed to avoid computers or were never able to fully make use of them. And I think many Seniors are intimidated. Many boomers are intimidated. It would be silly to make a blanket statement about any demographic, and that’s not what I meant to do.
It’s great if new a new killer app attracts people to the computer and persuades them to learn it. But I’ve seen articles lately that somehow Microsoft is ‘bridging the digital divide’ with this offering. I was left with the impression that Microsoft might be doing something similar to The One Laptop per Child’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, but it seems more like a standard PC hardware and software package.
By Ryan Mark on May 18, 2008