This tablet proves you’re never too old for tech
portland — Consumer Cellular has spent years carving out a lucrative niche in the wireless industry: selling mobiles to senior citizens.
Now the closely-held carrier looks to apply that formula to tablets and smart-home equipment. The idea is to offer technology that’s simpler to use, both for nonsavvy consumers and those who are physically challenged.
The company’s expansion begins this month with the addition of the GrandPad to its lineup. The touchscreen tablet was designed for older customers — people who may be intimidated by an iPad. The interface lets users hold video chats with family members, view photos or check up on news.
Later this year, the Oregon-based company aims to follow up with a network of motion sensors and a wireless hub for the home. That will let caregivers monitor their loved ones remotely, Consumer Cellular co-founder John Marick said in an interview. And more products could eventually connect to the hub — perhaps something that reminds seniors to take their pills on time, for example.
“Once you have a wireless hub in the home, you can connect all kinds of things to it,” Marick said.
Caregiving products are a new direction for the 23-year-old company, and one that it hopes will help it evade a slowdown in the wireless industry. Consumer Cellular has been posting sales growth of 20 per cent to 30 per cent, and it looks to reach $1 billion in revenue this year, Marick said.
But the market for senior-citizen technology could soon become more crowded, especially as baby boomers hit their golden years. Best Buy is selling Assured Living — a network of sensors to track seniors in their homes and related apps for caregivers — in select markets. Several companies also have showcased home-assisting robots.
As it tries to compete, Consumer Cellular will lean on its customer base of 2.85 million subscribers. The company aims to sell 15,000 GrandPads this year. And in three years, 500,000 people could be using at least one of its new caregiving products, Marick said.
The GrandPad’s touch screen features large digital buttons, such as “call”, “photos” and “new email.” Only approved senders’ messages will go to the e-mail box, weeding out spam and scams.
This summer, a specially designed version of Lyft’s app will be added to the screen as well: it will let seniors press large buttons saying “church” or “home” to catch rides to preset addresses.