Long ago in a city far, far away, there was CES 2020. It was filled with tech from wall-to-wall and bus ride to bus ride. CES 2020 was a January 2020 nightmare of related products sited at opposite ends of convention space that seemed to span miles in one direction, and up elevators to suites in the opposite direction. A competition winner here, a spotlight on hearing there, health tech here – there a robot, there a drone – everywhere a bus ride and 170,000 people. Leaving with sore feet and tired brain, vowing never to attend in person again (having said that multiple times over the years). Who knew that Covid-19 was about to take over the world -- and with it, the world of events? Soon there will be CES 2021, entirely online -- no smoke-filled hotels, no Bellagio fountain, and no need for comfortable shoes. There should be many to note in January 2021. Meanwhile, pre-CES, here are five recently surfaced. All content is drawn from the company websites.
Once upon a time, a new technology user interface was just annoying. It’s almost quaint to look back at what we complained about – though some of the famous user interface disasters are well-described in a Scientific American article – Windows 8, BMW iDrive, TV remotes. At some point, the user gets mad. The BMW iDrive example prompted some drivers to turn around and bring the car back to the showroom. Consider the whining from this site in 2012 about smartphones and again in 2013. But a poor UI doesn’t always guarantee poor sales. It’s quaint to read the complaint about the Apple Watch interface, which is quite annoying and 100% dependent on a smartphone app. But it may turn out to be Apple’s most popular product (30 million sold in 2019) and enjoys great popularity in 2020. Furthermore, its fall detection validated the market transition of caregiving smart watches replacing PERS pendants.
A hot topic now – crossing the so-called ‘Digital Divide’. It’s ironic – the topic has been under discussion forever. Long ago, in a world far, far, away – it was easy for the oldest to say that they don’t see the benefit in technology, Internet access or other devices. That was pre-pandemic of course. In 2020, the divide looks like a chasm, depending on how it is viewed. What will close it? What is the missing link? More training? Discounted devices? Free Internet? Grandchildren photos? Worsening social isolation?Telehealth visits? And do we mean ‘Digital Divide’ – or do we really mean Internet Access Divide? Or is it the smartphone ownership divide? The how-do-I-use-this-thing divide? And what does it mean for one's life to be on the wrong side?
November revealed a growing sense of urgency about older adults. What has been the impact on them of the daily onslaught of Covid-19 statistics? What about nine months of ceaseless updates about case counts? Has this produced a permanent fear of contact with others, including families, especially on holidays? Public-private partnerships are forming to bring devices and products to older adults, now isolated for as much as 9 months. Will that help? Tech firms are trying to boost access to the internet and devices – will this become 2021 action priority for non-profits and government? And much more will be different for an older population – the real seniors, aged 75+, perhaps previously unnoticed by media. In fact, older adults have often been ignored by marketers even as boomers have all the money. Here are four blog posts from November:
Long ago in a city far, far away, there was CES 2020. It was filled with tech from wall-to-wall and bus ride to bus ride. 
Once upon a time, a new technology user interface was just annoying. It’s almost quaint to look back at what we complained about – though some of the famous user interface disasters are well-described in a Scientific American article – 
A hot topic now – crossing the so-called ‘Digital Divide’. It’s ironic – the topic has 
November revealed a growing sense of urgency about older adults. What has been the impact on them of the daily onslaught of Covid-19 statistics? What about nine months of ceaseless updates about case counts? Has this produced a permanent fear of contact with others, including families,