Hottest Technology Gift Ideas for Seniors Announced at Beginning of Holiday Shopping Season
5 November 2005
With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, gadgets, gizmos and the latest technology are expected to be among the “hottest” gifts. But for those buying for aging parents and other seniors, unless carefully selected, technology gifts all too often can set off a case of “technophobia” that can make even the best intentioned gifts collect closet dust.
“Properly selected, technology gifts can make ideal gifts for seniors,” says Damian Juarez-Mrazek, senior marketing manager for 77Blue, creators of leading discount online shopping sites, Cashbaq and AnyCoupons.com. “There are a range of hot gadgets andtechnologies available that are easy to use and can help bring the power of technology home to the senior in your family.”
The secret to successful technology gifts for seniors, he adds is to carefully choose technology gifts that enhance seniors’ lifestyles and interests in practical ways. “It’s not so much about the glitz or the design, or many of the attributes that tech-heads crave, it’s about how this can positively impact their lifestyle,” he adds.
Technology gifts can enhance some of the lifestyle desires most important to many seniors, such as better communication with family, and entertainment designed around their schedule, not vice versa. Be sure to focus on ease-of-use, which sometimes means selecting a product that has a generation or two of maturity under its belt so that all kinks are worked out.
Cashbaq’s top five technology gifts for seniors based on ability to enhance lifestyle and ease of use are as follows:
• MSN TV 2: So your folks want to be on the Internet, but are not looking for a full fledged, and slightly complex, computer system? Designed mainly for Grandma and Grandpa, Microsoft’s new MSN TV 2 Internet Player can still do dial-up and has an Ethernet port. It’s the perfect pain-free way to get online for the 51% of Internet users who do have a broadband connection but don’t want to spring for a second PC just so they can check e-mail and read websites. It’s also the best way to those comfortable with the television experience to leap into the Worldwide Web. Better yet, it retails for $200 ($192 at Cashbaq) and costs $22 a month if you want to use it with MSN’s dial-up service, and $10 a month as add-on for a broadband connection.
Now, just be sure you answer your Grandma’s e-mails.
• TiVo: Yes, maybe there are a few folks out there who enjoy those inane commercials, who get teary eyed at GE’s dancing elephant. But if the seniors in your family are like many others, they view the plethora of modern day advertising with some version of scorn. Bringing the commercial-free TiVo experience not only enhances the viewing experience, it can let them watch some of the oldies and goodies on their time and terms, not the networks. 40 hour TiVOs can be had for as low as $49.99 after rebate. With TiVo, you don’t watch more TV, you watch better TV.
• iPod: So your aging parent is resisting the doctor mandated daily walk around the neighborhood because they’re too engrossed in watching their favorite news or television show? Perhaps they’re in the midst of “can’t-put-down” cliffhanger novel? Today’s iPod, in combination with downloadable audiobooks -- such as those from Audible.com -- and news podcasts can allow let them do both, so they can talk a walk on Sunday mornings and listen to “Meet the Press.”
• VoIP: Free telephone? Forget the excuses about having to cut calls short because of costs. VoIP packages from Skype, Vonage and others can enable the family to talk together, yet remain in a budget.
• Dyna-Flex Exerciser: Now something completely different. For those looking for gentle rehabilitations device to heal repetitive stress industries, carpal tunnel syndrome, Powerball's unique onboard computer constantly monitors users fitness levels, and allows them to track strength gains on a daily basis.
The good news for holiday shoppers is that with the continued growth of online shopping combined with an expected flurry of coupon and free shipping deals, thesetechnology gift ideas for seniors are easily available and affordable through sites like Cashbaq.com.
About 77Blue
77Blue is a leading provider of online shopping services through its diverse shopping portals in the US, United Kingdom and Canada. 77Blue’s relationships with over 1,000 merchants allow them to help online shoppers save money through coupons and its “Deal of the Day.” Discount shopping portal AnyCoupons.com has served millions of customers since its launch in 2003. In August, 77Blue launched its first cash back loyalty site, Cashbaq, which allows users to earn rebates on their online shopping. With more than ten million products in a wide range of categories, Cashbaq allows users to combine shopping comparison with cash back rewards.
Source: PR Web
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