Selected tech trends from upcoming 2021 Market Overview

Looking ahead to 2021 -- pre-CES, what trends will persist?  So that's just about enough of 2020 -- a year worth putting behind us, if ever there was one. Much creativity and stopgap solutions were the signs of the Covid-19 times.  There was an awakening about older adults as targets of ageism and victims of social isolation, true. But there was also an awakening to the significance of aging in place, the investment category of older adults, the market power of older adults, including the 65+ population of 54 million. And who knew that the fastest growing subsegment was those aged 80+?  Innovators in 2020 helped mitigate social isolation, enable in-home strength training for seniors, provided the tech mechanics (regardless of infrastructure) to connect older adults to families? All that and more make up the new entrants in the 2021 Market Overview of Technology for Aging, to be published the week of January 11.  Some of the key trends:

AI is behind the scenes -- everywhere.  The availability of a growing trove of data about our behavior has enabled the ever-smarter world of voice interactions and sensors. But the accumulation of this behavior information over time enables analytics that will augment simple monitoring and alerts.  Pattern analysis, dashboards, and predictive analytics have permeated tech innovation for years, including healthcare, but have been slow to enter the world of caregiving for older adults.  That is changing – and new entrants offer tools that learn patterns of behavior to alert about issues that caregivers need to address. In 2021, this Internet of Behavior will emerge as a trend that serves older adults and those who care for them.

Wearables became more visible – enabling PERS on the wrist.  Today, 30% of the PERS industry is mobile, validating the emergence of wearables other than pendants to take out and about. While Philips auctions its innovation-free Lifeline business – others offer caregiver watches that provide a less visible, more useful safety alternative when living alone, walking the dog, or afraid of falling. BellPal, Freedom Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical, UnaliWear, HandsFree Health, FallCall Lite (Apple) – connect to a required response center.

Voice first technology – in everything.  In 2020, Voice First category of technologies moved far beyond smart speakers and voice assistants. Every brand now has an opportunity to have its own voice with voice cloning.  Speaking to your car (Hey Mercedes!) is a requirement and the brands will make it so, even without connecting your phone. Expect moving forward that older users to be willing to trade concerns about privacy via an always-listening device against ease of interaction with voice assistants everywhere.  However, 2021 will produce progress in multi-wake word detection, even a bit of interoperability across platforms.

Amid market disruption, hearables market begins to resonate – and grow. The hearing technology market is seeing disruption from multiple angles.  Smart hearables were news at CES 2020, including AI-enabled hearing aids with fall detection, better and adjustable noise cancellation – especially interesting for older adults in noisy restaurants. Add integration with voice capabilities like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa and the ability to stream audio content directly to in-ear devices.  With the introduction of Over-the-Counter Hearing aid sales (and recommended guidelines), coupled with the beginnings of insurance reimbursement, those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss are likely to benefit from many of these changes.

[Please join me on January 14 at 1:00 pm ET for a live virtual panel "What Should be Next for Remote Care?" including executives from Microsoft, VitalTech, Honor, and OneClick.chat.]

category tags: 

hearables/hearing technology, AI, Voice First/AI/Voice Assistants, Mobile PERS

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/selected-tech-trends-upcoming-2021-market-overview

Not just older adults – everyone lost the tech user interface war

Once upon a time, a new technology user interface was mostly 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.

Today, user interface obfuscation is inversely proportional to product utility.  We struggle, even the most techno-determined, to master user interfaces of products we own – like TV remotes, stoves, or smart speakers. And the novice user is no longer considered in the 'getting started with' whatever.-it-is. Too expensive to have focus groups or usability testing spanning broad age ranges?  Too time-consuming?  Too much potential for conflict with designer vision?  Or are designers are driven by a completely different goal – competing with each other – leaving the user to plow through online forums?  This is particularly disheartening when considering today’s designs for products we want all generations to be able to use.  Study the minimalist remote control for Apple TV that only a designer could love; the non-obvious ‘feature’ for texting a Google Photo (28,000 views of this single forum question).  And look at this depressing list for setting up an iPad prior to giving it to an elderly relative. Simplicity – once the firm’s motto – is now lost in translation.

We want to turn on a 'voice first' device and have it welcome – not abuse us.  Voice interfaces may be the biggest breakthrough ever for older adults, but good luck with that very first step. Match what you now own with this daunting list of Alexa devices and read the help identifying YOUR device -- or look through the comparatively brief list of Google Nest ones.  And then there’s that need to first download an app.  Okay, we deal with all this because we love to talk to our devices.  But asking us to opt out of a privacy feature (versus opt in) which shares your network with your neighbors?  Just having a company say that it has taken steps to preserve user privacy – should we believe them?  Who would know to opt out unless they are readers of tech forums?  And despite all of the noise about privacy protection, for example in Europe, users are regularly blindsided.  If you really want to have a private conversation near a listening device today, turning off the device's microphone is just a beginning.  

The truth -- we are not the tech customers -- if we ever were.  There is a frenetic feature race underway, and we can only try to keep up with what's changing or find a way to opt out. Device purchases and ads are the currency for the race, and despite half-hearted or non-attempts among governments, the winners of the race are now and will likely continue to be a tiny handful of giant companies. We know we are all hooked on the devices. And 1.5 billion users depend on Google's free email.  So we suffer their arbitrary and capricious changes and disrupting outages. Then we sigh, search the forums or download the mandatory update. And if all else fails, we restart the device, the software, the 'smart' TV -- and hope.

category tags: 

computers, internet and social networking, Voice First/AI/Voice Assistants

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/not-just-older-adults-everyone-lost-tech-user-interface-war

Five New Technology Offerings for Older Adults

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 January 2020 nightmare of booths placed at opposite ends of convention space that seemed to span miles in one direction, and up elevators to suites in a completely different direction. A competition winner here, a spotlight on hearing there,  health tech here – here a robot,  there a drone – everywhere a bus ride and 170,000 people, all apparently young and agile.  With sore feet and tired brain, vowing never to attend in person again (having said this 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, an entirely online, no smoke-filled hotels, no Bellagio fountain, and no need for comfortable shoes. There should be at least 5 if not ten technologies to comment on in January.  But in the meantime, here are five recently surfaced.  All content is drawn from the company websites.

Vivo. "Vivo is a breakthrough interactive online strength training fitness program scientifically designed for adults 55 and older that you can join from the safety of your home. Taught in small-group classes by live certified trainers, our focus is on building strength by integrating stretching, balance, cognitive and resistance exercises in a safe, engaging way. Our classes are small enough that you get the attention you need. And because our classes are taught virtually, you can access everything from the comfort of your own home."  Learn more.

DMEConnected. A "Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Marketplace, the application of Acacia across your healthcare system and workflow helps medical offices and hospitals optimize their entire ordering process and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. DME providers, as well as manufacturers, that register with DMEconnected are able to upload their information into a number of portals for order forms, locations and sales reps for an annual fee.”  Learn more.

Kinesis Balance App. "Using machine learning algorithms combined with smartphone-embedded sensors and questionnaires, Kinesis Balance allows the reliable assessment of balance and falls risk in the home. Our secure Android application uses the sensors embedded in a smartphone along with simple questionnaires to track balance and falls risk over time using our advanced machine learning algorithms."  Learn more.

Zemplee. "Zemplee is redefining how the elderly are cared for. Improving quality of life by our strategically placed smart sensors enables our AI to track daily living activities helping you remotely verify their wellbeing. Our AI interprets the elderly’s dining habits, medication intake, activity level, sleep patterns, and other important details ensuring they life to the fullest." Learn more.

CareHero. "Sanvis Health, makers of the CareSynchrony® socio-clinical platform for senior care, announced today the release of CareHeroTM, a cloud-based virtual care offering tailored for the exceptional challenges that senior living communities are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. CareHeroTM helps community operators of Assisted Living,Independent Living and Memory Care facilities navigate the multitude of primary care and specialty physicians that their residents rely on to manage their chronic conditions."  Learn more.

 

category tags: 

Telehealth-RPM-Virtual Visits-Voice Health, DME, games, fun and fitness

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/five-new-technology-offerings-older-adults

Everyone – not just older adults – has lost the tech user interface war

Once upon a time, a new technology user interface was mostly 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 whining from this site in 2012 about smartphones and again in 2013. And poor UI doesn’t always guarantee poor sales. It’s quaint to read the complaint about the Apple Watch’s 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 huge popularity in 2020.  And it’s fall detection validated the market transition of caregiving smart watches replacing PERS pendants.

Today, user interface obfuscation is inversely proportional to product utility.  We struggle, even the most techno-determined, to master user interfaces of products we own – like TVs, stoves, or smart speakers. And the novice user is no longer considered in the ‘getting started with’ whatever.-it-is Too expensive to have focus groups or usability testing?  Too time-consuming?  Too much risk of conflict with designer vision?  Or are designers are driven by a completely different goal – competing with each other – and leaving the user to plow through online forums?  This is particularly disheartening when considering today’s designs for products we want all generations to be able to use.  Consider the minimalist remote control for Apple TV that only a fan-boy could love; the non-obvious ‘feature’ for texting a Google Photo (28,000 views of this single forum question).  And look at this depressing list for setting up an iPad prior to giving it to an elderly relative. Simplicity – once the firm’s motto – is now lost in translation.

We want to turn on a 'voice first' device and have it welcome – not abuse us.  Voice interfaces may be the biggest breakthrough ever for older adults, but good luck with that very first step. Match what you now own with this daunting list of Alexa devices and read the help identifying YOUR device -- or look through the comparatively brief list of Google Nest ones.  And then there’s that need to first download an app.  Okay, we deal with all this because we love to talk to our devices.  But asking us to opt out of a privacy feature (versus opt in) that shares your network with your neighbors?  Just having a company say that it has taken steps to preserve user privacy – is that enough?  Who would know to opt out unless they are readers of tech forums?  And despite all of the noise about privacy protection, for example in Europe, users are inadvertently blindsided.  If you really want to have a private conversation near a listening device today, turn off the device's microphone.  

The truth -- we are not the tech customers -- if we ever were.  There is a frenetic feature race underway, and we can only try to keep up with what's changing or find a way to opt out. Device purchases and ads are the currency of the race, and despite half-hearted or non-attempts among governments, the winners of the race are now and will likely continue to be a tiny handful of giant companies.  So we sigh, search the forums, download the mandatory update, and if necessary, restart the device.

category tags: 

computers, internet and social networking, Voice First/AI/Voice Assistants

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/everyone-not-just-older-adults-has-lost-tech-user-interface-war

The Digital Divide -- Why haven't all older adults crossed it?

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? 

Let's get real: Internet access is the lifeblood of connection. We have never seen a world in which so many were so isolated from family, from friends, from activities, from healthcare.  And we have never seen a world in which the ‘connections’ to everything -- services, shopping, learning about new products, listening to music, meeting people, talking to a doctor -- are all made through an alphabet soup of technology, delivered from almost monopoly-like tech firms from Amazon to Zoom.  

About those gaps -- basic questions need answers.  Let’s say you’re a national organization trying to close this gap in 2021.  So the steering committee asks itself, among older adults, who actually has what devices?  This shouldn’t be that hard, but the data seems to be at best surveyed annually.  And the detailed breakdown of the several decades starting at ‘70+’?  Good luck with that. Let’s go with the AARP number of 62% of the 70+ owning smartphones. Why don’t the other 38% (or more in the upper age decades) own or want them?  Is it about the price, which seems to average $500 (without the carrier)  though many are pricier, and some are less, and much less with a monthly carrier plan. Is it about out-of-box usability?  Hmm. Check out this setup list for the ‘more senior-friendly iPhone.’ And for the Android?   Oddly, that looks easier.  So let’s assume that the setup was easy.  Oops – they want access to the Internet… 

Why doesn’t everyone have access to the Internet?  This one depends on a few key documents need to be viewed – including this article which notes that 21 million may not have high-speed access, according to the FCC.  By the way, if it isn’t high speed/broadband, forget about Netflix or FaceTime with the family. Oh wait, that is based on data from the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who have a vested interest in the number.  These ISPs count a census block as having access even if only one house is enabled! Another more likely number? According to Broadband Now, 42 million don’t have broadband. Is this about the cost? And how complex is the cost calculation? Turns out it is highly variable, based on geography and provider.  And it is significantly hampered by lack of competition in some areas. And in areas of new homes, for example, there may only be one bidder who can then set the price and contract length. And providers can decide to put caps on Internet data usage in the home, raising the price by as much as another $100/month.   

category tags: 

computers, internet and social networking, social isolation, Telehealth-RPM-Voice Health

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/digital-divide-why-havent-all-older-adults-crossed-it

Four Technology and Aging Blog Posts from November 2020

November reveals 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. Tech firms are trying to boost access to the internet and devices – this will become 2021 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:

Filling in the Tech Basics. Technology was essential for many adults stuck at home during the pandemic, providing some social connection, access to online shopping, home delivery services, and requests for transportation. But it also became apparent that some older adults were shut out from these due to limitations in vision, hearing, dexterity, and even dementia. And for some, technologies were not affordable – median income of a household age 75+ is $34,925. Yet it is also becoming apparent that organizations that serve older adults realize that gaps exist. They are increasingly motivated and will strive to ramp up efforts to deliver a greater degree of access than the numbers show today. What are the key dimensions that need to be addressed moving forward? Read more.

Amazon and Older Adults. It’s already been a big year for new Amazon offerings that could benefit older people. This month’s most obvious change was the introduction of Amazon Care Hub, an Alexa app that can be used to help monitor potentially isolated older adults. But they also have done more work on Amazon Hospitality in partnership with K4Connect (which has rolled out 10,000 Alexa devices to senior living communities). One might well argue that Amazon has and will continue to have a major impact on the quality of life for older adults (assuming senior privacy concerns and technology barriers to adoption are overcome – more on that another time).  Read more.

2020 Research Reports – A Recap. It was a year that saw little travel, but it was a good time to write. Most would agree that this year was not what we expected. Instead of continuing with business and event travel into March, HIMSS was canceled at the last minute and converted to a virtual event. And so it went, for Argentum events and many other summits. And so it remains a virtual world. So 2020 was a year that produced 5 white papers and three long research reports emerge – normally not feasible with so much here-and-there travel. By comparison, in 2019 one report, the 2019 Market Overview, was published, along with 2 long and 4 short white papers, listed under Research. Here are the reports – looking forward to 2021!  Read more.

Five technologies for older adults – November 2020. It was the month for giving thanks -- remotely. It was a strange Thanksgiving for many – staying (stuck?) in place with Zoom, FaceTime -- and few place settings. Worse, for many older adults, isolation is a worsening health issue that we will hear more about as shutdowns continue and shut-in becomes the virtual norm. In November, a long report (the third of 2020) called The Future of Remote Care Technology and Older Adults was published, the result of 30 interviews with executives from organizations large and very small. Here are five companies drawn from the report and beyond – all material is from the company websites. Read more.

 

 

category tags: 

baby boomers, digital health, telehealth, social isolation, computers, internet and social networking

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from Tips For Aging In Place https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/four-technology-and-aging-blog-posts-november-2020