This is the first I’ve heard of this story. I wonder how long it’ll take to reach my desk… 
Hopefully not too long.
http://eeepc.net/acer-going-to-launch-one-more-competitor-of-eee/
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Colin Welch wrote, on February 17th, 2008:
id love to get this for my mother. she still uses an old dell in the basement, it be nice to get her out of the dungeon
Michael Walsh wrote, on February 17th, 2008:
I’ve got to admit I thought the same thing too, although only for the briefest of moments…
I’m wondering if ultraportables are being aimed at the wrong people. You see one and you instantly think “early adopters” (”geeks” to you and me) but has anyone spared a thought for the “late refusers”?
My mother could do with something like this too and if Apple can pan and zoom the text of just about anything displayed on the screen, making it the perfect instrument for the sight impaired, I don’t see why a whole new ultra-niche market that no-one saw coming couldn’t evolve…
Whoever did it could let their hair down and call it the “iMouttahere” or “iMback” or stay down to earth and accountable with something safe like “Simple” or “Free”.
As long as they don’t cram it with every damned program in the Microsoft arsenal we could avoid catastrophic product (and heart) failure, inject a surge of energy into an overlooked market and get the elderly out a lot more.
My mum would be chuffed to bits.
Come to mention it, why not have them preloaded with Google Maps with age- and culture-specific points of interest along with large-print IM type services like a a local form of Twitter where they can meet new friends from their own neck of the woods or a Facebook site for the elderly (without complex plug-ins)?
Social networking old-style.
Imagine finding out your nan has just popped out to check out that new bingo hall she found out about through her friends she met on Facebook. Oh yes and she’s using the GPS to get there.
Sounds crazy? Your daughter’s probably doing something very similar with her mobile phone anyway. In a few years mine will too.
If the manufacturer was brave enough, they could even design and integrate the software themselves just like those guys in black turtle necks did… Double whammy!
Now I know why they keep me as far away as possible from product development meetings
Colin Welch wrote, on February 18th, 2008:
drink a lot of coffee this morning?
lol
anyway, i think u have some good ideas. people 60 and up have been notorious for not being able to handle technology. it would be nice to see some things other than the jitterbug cell phone. my mother for example wants to use modern technology but shes still trying to learn how to set her digital watch. lets start a company, old people tech inc.
Michael Walsh wrote, on February 18th, 2008:
If there’s one thing I’ve learned writing for a multi-national company it’s that you’re gonna offend someone somewhere whatever name you give a product or service.
Old People Tech Inc. Hmm…
It could work if we stick by Seth Godin’s meatball sundae rules and market it “appropriately” but I can’t help thinking of it as a giant, painful thorn in our side. There again I’ve come up with worse in my time
The idea’s great, the content especially…
Needs more work.