User Interfaces for an Aging Population

Recently, I read the latest issue of
Interactions, Volume XV.4 (July + August 2008)

An article entitled "Older adults, health information, and the internet" by Bo Xie at the University of Maryland, College Park, College of Information Studies - struck me as an important segment of the end user population that needs greater attention.

I saw an article about a new HP device that was used for one way transmission of email from the internet using a service called Presto (note I don't directly own any shares of HP or interests in this product or service - nor do I necessarily endorse it). This product is suppose to address those who do not want to use or own a computer. It allows other users on the internet with a mechanism for broadcasting/sending an email or photo to the intended person who might be either a ludite or low tech person.

It seems strange to me that the end user is not given the ability to "Reply" to the email sent by calling back and recording a reply message which has a audio recording from the end user. I would think products and services like Presto would make a provision for a unified mailbox that handled all types of media like audio files in addition to text. This would greatly enhance this service. I think I better a patent to this idea before someone else does!