Gadgets and Parents
January 2nd, 2011, 9:44am by MikeUsually we talk about how we’re so into gadgets, and occasionally we stray into the territory of our parents and the ways they dip their toes into the technology waters. Over the years, we’ve introduced our folks to all sorts of tech — helped with cell phones, set up wireless networks, and advised on computer purchases.
And this is where it has led us. Here’s a photo of my mom (taken on my Dad’s new G2), sitting in her living room. On her lap is a Kindle (the original — she’s an early adopter!), on top of which is my Dad’s netbook. My mom is using her Android phone (a Cliq) to take a picture of a QR code on my Dad’s netbook. (No room on her lap for the iPad she got for Christmas!)
Incredible! Even the outlet behind her is full of chargers! I’m so proud.
January 3rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm
That’s cool you have such a receptive audience. My parents, who are living with my brothers, seem to be adapting to life with a Kinect, but other than that, they seem to be in the dark ages (dumbphones, CRTs, old hand-me-down desktop machines for email, etc). They want to buy a replacement digital camera at least once a year, though (but they mostly only use the camera to display their pics). Sad, but what can I do?
January 3rd, 2011 at 6:34 pm
My dad for years wanted to be able to get weather satellite images on his phone, but didn’t ever think it was worth the price of the data plan. Then he finally decided to join the smart phone craze… with a Blackberry. That’s about a year ago. Before that, he was always trying to find mapping software for his laptop and hooking up a GPS receiver for navigation. By the time he had a working solution, the Garmin/ TomTom products were under $300. Not sure why he ever thought that was a good idea. He still has the stickers on every laptop he’s ever owned. And runs a WinXP emulator inside Windows 7 so he can continue to use his 10-year old copy of Matlab. He’s a strange amalgamation of cutting-edge technology combined with a longing for the crappier tech of a decade earlier.
Mom’s got an Apple TV, Kindle, iPod, iMac. Had a PocketPC for a long time (after I begged her to get a Palm Pilot… d’oh) that she never quite figured out. Does manage to use Flickr, Facebook & the other gear. She’s got the classic gadget lust without quite having the patience to figure out how to use the stuff, and most stuff is bought without sufficient research (i.e., she buys the stuff first & asks me how to use it later). I think she’d dig an iPad, but probably needs the keyboard for it to be worthwhile. Laptop is great for a desk, but not so much when resting on the couch.
January 3rd, 2011 at 6:34 pm
But she won’t be getting an iPad… hello PalmPad!