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Rumors of a smaller iPad have been circling ever since the first iPad was announced in 2010. No one thought Apple would ever release a small iPad, but that could change. According to a story from Liberty Times, via Macotakara, Both LG and AU Optronics have reportedly been certified to supply screens for the mini iPad. But, don’t go expecting it to be…
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Great news! Time Warner Cable and Viacom have decided to fix their previous legal disputes. This story comes from Viacom Blog, stating that if you’re subscribed to Time Warner Cable, you will soon be able to enjoy Viacom programming again. The two companies have released the following joint statement. “Viacom and Time Warner Cable have agreed to resolve…
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According to a report on Tuesday, Apple could be planning a way to use the iPad as a remote for the rumored Apple-branded HDTV. The story is far from certain, but the source claims that the iPad could run special apps in tandem with the television set that would display special information not available on the television screen. The example given was,…
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Remember Jitterbug, the big-buttoned phones for seniors that made using those confusing, new-fangled cellphone thingies so much easier to handle? Well it looks like someone has gone out and built the equivalent for the iPad. Which literally made me laugh out loud when I read the news, because the iPad is the first computer I’ve ever seen seniors adopt in droves. But hello anyway, Family Ribbon.
Everything about this app is funny. From the touted “health benefits” (apparently, a May 2012 Mayo Clinic study confirmed that a combination of exercising and using a computer may protect seniors against mild cognitive impairment!!!) to the stock photos of granny on iPad in the “how it works” section of the website.
I’ll spare you the gory details. Here’s the pitch in a nutshell: the app, which is “officially” launching on May 30th but is live now in the iTunes App Store, is “an easy-to-use app for the iPad which features an easy-to-use interface that helps seniors and kids stay connected to their families online.”
In case you missed that, it’s “easy to use.”
Because really, the iPad is so hard. And this UI is clearly better:
I’m sure the iPad’s complexity is why my 2-year has completely stolen mine, knows how to slide to unlock, flip through screens, launch and close apps, navigate within apps, and I’m pretty sure she’s already better than me at Angry Birds.
Let’s get real here, kids are not the issue with adopting new technology. Seniors, however, often struggle. And while I do understand the need to offer them assistance, I’m not sure that, of all things, it’s the iPad that’s so confusing. Computers, yes. Windows, yes. Mac OS X, yes. But iPad? No.
Sure, grandma and gramps might need a demo at the Apple Store or from you before they get it. But I’m not convinced they need something like this.
I will give the app one shout out as its saving grace – it offers a remote administration feature which could come in handy. The confused user can push the “call back request” app for assistance which sends a text, email and phone call (wait…omg, it’s thi, WUPHF lives!) and can then tap a button to share their screen. It’s a screenshot-snapping feature, to be clear, not true remote administration.
Oh, and there’s an “easy Facebook” mode too:
I’m sorry, I just fell out of my chair.
Honestly, this may be the best thing I’ve seen on the Internet all day.
The app was co-created by two ex-McKinsey consultants, CEO Ivan Osadchiy and Mykola Komarvsky. I was just going to decline to cover (Osadchiy wanted to talk about the “many health benefits” that this application will bring), but I found I couldn’t help but share this news. Back to your regularly scheduled Facebook IPO-salivating now.
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By David Ponce
There’s a project getting some steam on Kickstarter that would bring back the old timey joys of the Etch-A-Sketch for the iPad generation. Granted, there may be kids out there who have no idea what we’re talking about, but those of you who played with one back when this was the toy to have will be pleased to know about the lengths that the team behind this is going to in order to preserve the authentic feel of the original. It’s called The Etcher and is a special case for all three generations of iPads that would emulate the toy. And although it’s not set in stone, as it would entail higher fabrication costs, the Ohio Art company (makers of the toy, and owners of the trademark) have expressed willingness to manufacture it. And even if they don’t end up making it, they’ve already granted a license, and quite enthusiastically. A lot of effort is going into small details, such as programming a stylus that is visible underneath the line being drawn, as well as the line getting darker with multiple passes of this stylus, just like in the original. And it would work pretty much as you’d imagine, except with some added iPad perks. For example, shaking the thing would erase your image, but it wouldn’t have to be gone for good; you could save it or share it with friends.
At the moment you can pre-order yours on Kickstarter (and help contribute to their reaching their funding goal) for $60. Estimated shipping would be sometime in October of this year.
[ Project Page ] VIA [ Wired Gadget Lab ]
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