When it comes to older relatives using technology, the hardest challenge is finding them devices they'll actually use. Family Circle Magazine's Lynya Floyd joins Cheddar to reveal the easiest tech solutions for the senior loved ones in our lives. She discusses why the issue is so important as millennials get older, and become caregivers in their own right.
Floyd says it's always best to start with smartphones when thinking of the right tech for seniors. She recommends an easy-to-use device called Jitterbug. Technology can help make it easier for people to maintain their independence as they get older.
Some everyday gadgets like Roomba, Nest, and Amazon's Alexa are a perfect fit for older people. Floyd says their simple interfaces will ensure your relatives actually use them. We also learn about a company that ensures people never forget to take their medications at the right times.
Interest in the concept of the metaverse is heating up as more companies get on board, and Cathy Hackl, CEO of Futures Intelligence Group, a metaverse-focused consultancy, joined Cheddar to talk about trends to watch out for in 2022 and what it will take for it to be more than just a buzzword. Hackl noted that businesses likely will have to consider big technology upgrades in the upcoming year in order to keep up. "We're going to need new levels of computing power to be able to enable shared virtual experiences, both in VR but also in augmented reality," she said.
Ron Gutman, Co-CEO of Intrivo, joins Cheddar News to discuss how the company is creating a test and tech solution for Covid testing called 2Gather, and how it's using data-driven digital diagnostics to make these tests widely available and affordable.
The metaverse took the world by storm in 2021 and it is just the beginning of the virtual universe. Consumers are jumping on board and companies like Meta and Roblox are already taking advantage. Entrepreneur Andrew Duplessie joined Cheddar to discuss how the metaverse will impact the future of socialization and business. "If I'm doing anything right now, I'm building an app, I'm jumping into that ecosystem, and I'm testing it. I'm seeing what people think," he said.
