We talk a lot about how easy we think some devices are to use but it is a different matter altogether when our parents test those opinions. We know not all parents are equal in their tech skills, but for the sake of the clarity of this post we want to make it clear that the Mom in question feels that she is not tech savvy in the slightest (although really she knows her way around her computer, which she'll never admit). This post is about one of our moms who surprised us all when she announced her decision to exchange the shiny new device her family bought for her for another *gasp* piece of tech.
My mom loves to read. Loves it. She almost always has her nose in a book whether it is outside in the yard or on the couch. She is also a big puzzle nut, Sudoku, crossword, you name it, she loves it. Based on these things we, her family, thought that despite her anti-tech protestations we would buy her eReader, and that she would love it. We chose the Kindle based on my own experience with the device and it fulfilling every item we thought she could want or need (and her love of buying books from Amazon). A big factor in our decision was eInk as we knew that the sell to a digital device would be a tough one and we wanted to keep the experience as familiar as possible as well as give her high readability outdoors.
While we were not terribly surprised when she did not greet the Kindle with open arms we were a bit shocked when she asked why in the world we would opt for this over an iPad. When asked why she did not like the Kindle she responded with several reasons, many of which we did not think were going to be an issue.
Surprisingly one of the reasons why she did not like the dedicated eReader is its size. She felt that it was too small and uncomfortable to hold. She was also not pleased with the smaller screen size since it meant when she would enlarge the font should would have to scroll more often than she likes. This was the first time we had ever heard someone complain about a device being too thin and lightweight and we were surprised that she preferred the comparable heft of the iPad.
The not so surprising reason she favored the iPad over the Kindle was ease of use. While I have not had any trouble navigating using my Kindle, my mother definitely did. We had Mom use my brother's Nook to see if this was easier for her and she declared it just as difficult to use. The iPad was a win for ease of use for her since she did not need any lessons in how to navigate, she just intuitively knew.
Mom also loves all of the other things she can do on her iPad. Although the Nook Color does offer apps my mother found that the ones she was most interested in were not available and she prefers iTunes App Store for located and downloading apps. She loves transitioning from reading a book to jotting down an email to browsing family photos. She also enjoys shopping for the best price for eBooks and choosing where to buy from since she has the major eBookstore apps loaded onto her iPad.
Our big concern over readability outside has been dismissed by Mom. She said that she will take the screen of the iPad with "everything else it can do" alongside the "not as easy to read outside" any day. She has also stated that I exaggerate how difficult the screen is to read outside and declares it is really no bother as long as you are in shade. Like any good Floridian she cannot fathom why in the world one would read outside if not under the shade which means using the iPad outside is a snap.
Mom surprised us with her tech decision and has showed us kids that sometimes we do not know best when it comes to what pieces of tech are best for her. Has your parent ever surprised you (in a good or bad way) with their tech decision? Is Mom a trendsetter in abandoning a dedicated eReading device for a tablet?
(Images: Melissa Alcaidinho)
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"Is Mom a trendsetter in abandoning a dedicated eReading device for a tablet?".
Not in the slightest. A large portion of what technology is about is consumer choice. No one should be forced to use any one device but should have freedom to use what works best for them.
All I'm saying is wait till what Microsoft have to offer with Windows 8 and their tablet devices; depending on the pricing, I'm pretty sure it will have the same effect on PC users as the iPad did with Mac and iPhone users, in that regular computer users will feel the tablet offers them a better more integrated experience than a traditional computer.
I've been debating and debating my ereader options. I've wanted an iPad, but it's obviously more expensive and heavier/bigger than a Kindle or Nook (or the options, which I'm not so much interested in.) It's something I don't *need* right now, but I'd really like something.
I've been using the Kindle app (primarily -- I also have Nook, iBooks, and Overdrive, as well as other apps that I can read ePub and .pdfs on) on my iPod Touch. I love the Kindle app, I am a big fan of Amazon (both the Kindle store and for hardcopy books and other products), yet I am not a fan of any Kindle device. I prefer my backlit, color touchscreen and don't yet feel the appeal of eink. I can always adjust the contrast, so daylight hasn't seemed to bother me.
I think reading this article may be the thing to tip the scales over to the iPad -- or rather, to feel like I've been given permission to go with the option I've always wanted anyway. It may not be the most practical from a cost and size perspective, but I can use it for a million other purposes as well.
"we were a bit shocked when she asked why in the world we would opt for this over an iPad"
An entry level iPad ($499) is three and a half times the price of an entry level Kindle ($139).
The iPad's size was prohibitive for me. It just felt very clunky to hold, and forget holding it in only one hand. I loved reading on my iPod Touch, but wanted something bigger, but not as big as the iPad. I went with an android tablet since they come in so many varying sizes these days.
@ Serendipitwaddle She did try a Nook Color but found it not as easy to use and she did not like the app selection or the marketplace for apps.
My partner's mom is a mac user, so we went with the iPad thinking she would want a 'road ready' apple experience.
She went bananas for the iBooks app. I guess we should tell her about the kindle app.
I personally have both. I prefer to read on the Kindle but will use my Ipad or Iphone when I'm without it. Kindle either stays home, goes to the beach or in a carryon. But I don't carry it around with me other than that.
My mother, who's 70, has both and prefers also to read on her iPad. She also prefers surfing on her ipad, rather than on the desktop. Both of my parents are early adopters of whatever new product apple comes out with.
Wow. I am also surprised that she found a Nook color more difficult to use than an iPad. I do admit that I prefer reading on my 10" android tablet over my wife's 7" Nook. I also prefer the touchscreen.
If she didn't like the marketplace and app selection on the Nook Color, your brother obviously hasn't rooted it yet :)
Good for your mom going with what she likes, though. Often my mother will just accept what we buy her and then often never really use it.
My 58 yr old mother bought an iPad over a Kindle as well. The zoom function made a big difference. I'd be curious to see a demographic breakdown of purchasers.
Careful, you'll create a monster! 2 years ago my parents couldn't figure out how to use an ipod and were stuck on using their ancient flip phones, couldn't understand why anyone would want a smartphone or would want to read on a ereader, etc. Today my 58-60 year old parents have 2 iPads, a Kindle, a Nook Color, a Sony ereader, 2 iPhones, and an iPod touch. Out. Of. Control.
My 80 year old grandma asked for an eReader for Christmas last year. After trying out other family member's Kindles, iPads and Nooks, she also narrowed down her request to the iPad. She prefered the big color touchscreen and the intuative interface. She LOVES it. She can check her email, show off pictures of the grandkids, google for recipes, play solitare AND read books. My grandma is the coolest.
My 72 year old mom loves both her Kindle and her iPad (especially since she keeps the iPad downstairs so she doesn't have to climb the stairs to use the desktop). My dad (same age) loves his iPod and laptop, and so we were surprised when he said he wanted a Kindle too. So, this Father's day, he's getting a Kindle. They'd probably have smartphones too, but they live in a stone house, and you can't get any sort of cellular reception anywhere in the house.