Monday, February 8, 2010
I’m not much of a tech-head myself, but, like most people, I have a bunch of friends and family members who are. They’re easy to pick out in a crowd — they’re the ones who are always walking into doorj ams while they’re checking their iPhones.
If you’ve been watching the news at all, you know the newest gizmos is Apple’s new iPad. Depending on who you talk to, it’s either a really little computer or a really big cell phone, albeit one that you can’t use to make phone calls. (It’s a confusing world we live in, isn’t it?)
So the question came up recently where I work — how well would such a device work for seniors?
In the big unveiling ceremony held recently, Apple chairman Steve Jobs exuded confidence about the iPad, calling it “a magical device,” and claiming it would put “the entire Internet in your hands.” But this slim, touchscreen computer/monitor combo may not be all things to all people, especially when it comes to older users.
Hard on the eyes? The early buzz on the iPad was that it would primarily serve as an eBook reader that can download digital copies of bestselling novels (among other works). While that can save space on your bookshelf, the iPad may not offer the best reading experience for aging eyes.
Currently, the gold standard for eBook readers is the Amazon Kindle II, which uses an “e-Ink” monitor technology that offers a gentler, less glaring view. By comparison, the iPad uses an LCD screen, which is more like a flatscreen computer monitor or a high-def television.
Early reports from those lucky few who have gotten to test-drive these devices say that reading on the iPad gets to be like “shining a flashlight in your eyes” after a relatively short amount of time.
Web worries? Unlike the Kindle II, however, the iPad has all kinds of neat bells and whistles. One of the best is the ability to surf the web, using either WiFi technology or 3G service.
The one major hole in Apple’s web browsing capability, though, is that the iPad won’t run Flash applications. Flash is a computer program responsible for a lot of the most popular senior-friendly features on the web, from video games to YouTube videos to online photo albums.
Taking up the slack for those online services are specially made applications (or “apps” as the Apple ads refer to them), which can only be purchased through Apple’s online store. They’re cheap, certainly — most only cost a dollar or two — and they download straight to an iPad. But they’re not as familiar, and, of course, they’re not free.
The Great Unknown. Only a select few have actually been able to use an iPad, so it’s hard to say how it will work out in actual use by actual people. But I have to wonder: how easy will it be for seniors to type on what looks to be a physically awkward onscreen keyboard? And even though it’s designed to be used outside the home, how sturdy is it, really?
Be sure to spend some time test driving the iPad before making a decision on whether it’s right for you or for the older adult in your life.
Unless you’re a tech-head, of course. If that’s the case, then I’m sure you’ve probably already pre-ordered five of them from your iPhone. (Just watch out for those door jams!)
Roxanne Hinkle has an educational background is in social work and psychology. She has been a licensed nursing home administrator for more than 25 years. She is currently an administrator with Lutheran Senior Services in St. Louis.
Comments
themonkeybear (anonymous) says...
Smells like lite-beer-researched, doubt-casting grousing.
screen readability:
I bet you're reading this article (editorial) on... umm... oh! a computer screen. The iPad doesn't represent any more "strain" for senior users than looking at a the very screen you're reading this article on. Comparing iPad to Kindle is like comparing oranges and apples. (pun intended) - The Kindle is trying to be a book. The iPad is trying to be revolutionary - or at least something different.
flash compatibility
This is a big one one used by iPhone / iPad haters. "No Flash Support" - ... It's a complicated mess of largely security and legal affairs that have kept Flash from running on Apple's handheld products . Both parties honestly are being stubborn over the whole ordeal. What should be noted though is Apple's siding with the widely accepted opinion of the development community (the people who actually MAKE THINGS for the web) - that Flash is at best a bells-n-whistles add-on to be used sparingly and en-large is NOT GOOD for building websites. (one of hundreds of references: http://www.antezeta.com/blog/flash-problems )
note: I'm a flash developer. I love the tool... I think it's great for some applications like product demos, games and other passive "wow-wee" presentations. That said... Has my productivity or web-viewing enjoyment ever been seriously hampered because I can't go to an automated greeting card on my phone?.... no.
YouTube content is not entirely Flash:
"In the past, YouTube videos were encoded in Flash, but were re-encoded for the iPhone."
( http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10032/1032618-96.stm#ixzz0ex6Z9CYy ) - For further reading - check out Apple and YouTube's cooperation over video compression methods back in 2007. (Google for: H.264 + MP4 + YouTube + Apple)
3) "what looks to be a physically awkward on-screen keyboard" - At this point I guess shoveling another generous spoonful of doubt onto the product is fine.
Was this an article or a laundry list of knee-jerk personal reactions and "top-3-hit" Google research?
Instead of jumping on the bandwagon of either Apple-Hate or Apple-Love..... (close to, but not nearly as boring and played-out as Conservative vs. Liberal) - How about an article touching on the announcement of the iPad and, (maybe after conducting some interviews with experts) - what this new kind of technology (the iPad and others) means to baby-boomers who's future will include more and more interacting with "the web" (further reading, Google for: "web 3.0").
Opinion rants these days are best left to your FaceBook page, wordpress blog and the FOX News network....
Not a news source.
- sorry for the tough love Roxanne. :-(
about the commenter:
A GenX son of a Baby Boomer who also works in technology and communication... (when not dragging his mother kicking and screaming into the 21st Century).
February 8, 2010 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyoverland (anonymous) says...
I am a Mac user. Have an iPhone and have switched my entire family to Mac. I was going to get an iPad, but I am not sure, due to the inability to use it on the road, like in hotels where there is no WiFi. The extra $130 for the 3G and the $30 a month (after I am already paying it for the iPhone), is a bit much. I probably won't get one. that being said, I was with my 83 year old mom yesterday and trying to get her to use the laptop I bought her a few years ago. I was thinking I might get her a iPad as it might be easier for her. All she does is email (sometimes). She also likes to read and can't get out and it might be a good way to buy books for her. I also like the Kindle. I like the eink. I am not sure how I would respond to reading books on the iPad. Kindle just made its books available for use on computers (Mac not out yet), so I will test it out and see. Also, I watch YouTube videos on my iPhone all the time.
February 8, 2010 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )