12/11:  Selected Technology for seniors

Agenda:

Review last time (Holidays and Technology)

Presentation

Homework:

No Quiz (holiday break) but do some of the tasks above so  you can understand the lesson.


Recording

If you missed this class or want to hear it again, you can view the recording by clicking here.

This lesson will include:

Using a virtual assistant

What are they?

Virtual assistants are AI-powered software that can perform various tasks and answer questions using natural language processing (NLP) technology. They can be integrated into various devices such as smart speakers, smartphones, and smart home devices. Some common tasks that virtual assistants can perform include setting reminders, sending messages, making phone calls, and controlling smart home devices. 

Virtual assistants live on their respective clouds, where your data lives as well.  Clouds include Apple (Siri), Amazon (Alexa) and Google (Google Assistant).  

These friends know quite a bit about you, especially if you have shared information with them.  If you are set up with an account, then they have access to that account.  So, if you have an event on a Google calendar, and you ask “Hey Google, what is on my calendar”, they will know.  They can call anyone of your contacts (see above!) and they can remind you to do things.  They are pretty amazing.

They can also offer you answers to questions.  However, this is where it gets a little dicey.  Just as you can’t just go to Google, type in a search term, and choose the first answer, you can’t necessarily rely on the first answer that Google or Siri give you.  There are lots of factors that play into the results of your searches.  Most noticeably, they rely on your personal history.  So, when finding answers to your questions, they will look at your profile and try to provide answers which are in line with you.  They will look at your search history, your previous questions, your previous requests to find a solution.

If I ask Alexa to play me some music, she will choose something similar to what I have requested in the past.  (And I have to say, she is pretty good at that!).  If I ask Siri, I will get different results, because I have listened to different music on Siri.

All of these rely on your willingness to provide your virtual assistant with information.  When you sign into your account, you will have the option of letting the account have access to your calendar and your contacts.  If you deny that, your assistant cannot tell you what is on your calendar or cannot call Bobby for you. 

How do they work?

We know what they do (answer questions, provide information, keep us on track) but how do we get each of them to work?  Most of them involve a wake-up word.  They may also require a speaker (more on that in a bit).  Here is a breakdown:

Siri (Apple):  You can set it up to answer to your voice.  You then say, Hey Siri and proceed with your question.  If you don’t say anything after Hey Siri, she will remind you (“I’m listening”).  You access Siri on your iPhone, your iWatch, your Mac computer and on one device, Apple Home Pod.

Google:  You would also set this up to answer when you say, Hey Google.  It will then respond.  If it is hooked up to a smart TV or other automated home device, it can be activated by your voice.  I say that because sometimes my smart TV turns on automatically, and the easiest way to get it off is to say, Turn off the TV.  You can also wake up Google by clicking on the microphone and speaking.  No need to say Hey Google then!

Alexa (Amazon):  Probably the most popular virtual assistant, and has had an enormous impact on voice assisted devices.  The wake-up work, “Alexa”, opens her listening capability and you can ask her things.  She also has skills which take you to a specific ability.  So, if you have enabled a skill (like “Cat sounds”), you would say, “Alexa open Cat Sounds” and she will play a series of cat sounds.  My cat loves this (maybe?)

What else can these virtual assistants do?

With the introduction of AI, the possibilities are increasing dramatically.  But here are some of the things that virtual assistants can do now:

Managing your calendar

Researching topics

Suggesting products which might help you

Playing music

Calling contacts

Controlling home devices

News and weather reports

Setting alarms

Help in sounding out words

Read books

Help with math questions or unit conversions

Create to-do lists

Voice assistant gadgets:

Once you have identified your favorite voice assistant (Alexa, Siri or Google), you can begin to purchase devices which will allow you to use them. 

All of these devices include smart speakers.  The device would connect to the Internet and stream content from the provider.  You can have multiple speakers around the house to listen in many rooms.

Some of these devices include a camera and a screen.  These can be used for viewing movies or making phone calls using the Internet.

Some of these devices also function as a hub for your smart home.  In this case, as you purchase several types of technology, you can then control them in this central device, the hub.


What can these devices do?  Let's start with a short video.

Amazon devices

Dot

Google devices

Pop

Show (basic)

Show (bells and whistles)

Google Home

Apple Devices

Google nest audio

Nest Hub

Mini

HomePod

Voice assistant Privacy settings

Alexa 

Tweaking your privacy settings in your Alexa app can help improve your privacy. Keep in mind, though, that by improving Privacy, Alexa will not be as smart as she could be. The simplest way to control what she hears of course is to Mute her (a feature on your device), or unplug her.  Otherwise, you would look at privacy settings.

To keep her from listening:

How is Alexa used for older adults in different markets?

Ways to use Alexa if you are caring for someone,  or tips that might make sense to you.

Using Alexa to communicate.  Some userful tips!

Siri:

Apple allows you to delete Siri and dictation interactions associated with each of your devices.  You can find that in Siri & Search settings> Siri & Dictation History.    

And now, you have to opt in to have humans review your transcriptions to improve Siri.  You can opt in (or out) by going to:   Settings>Privacy>Analytics & Improvements>Improve Siri & Dictation

Of course, you can disable the ability for her to listen to the wake word, Hey Siri.  This is done by going to Siri & Search settings> deselect Listen for “Hey Siri”.  (While you are there, try using a different voice!  How fun is that?)  If you have a HomePod, however, you may choose to mute her or even to give her a command “Hey Siri, stop listening”.  When you are ready to resume, you can then say “Hey Siri, start listening”.  You can also adjust settings in the Apple Home app to change Siri settings.

At this point, there is no way to view or delete your interactions with Siri or the HomePod without deleting all of the information associated with your account.

Using Siri with your phone 

Useful Siri commands

Google Assistant:

Like Apple, Google paused the practice of humans listening in on interactions with its digital assistant. However, as of this month, the process has returned.  It isn’t exactly wide spread, just .2% of all snippets are reviewed by humans.  Still, there are ways to improve your privacy.

To prohibit Google from accessing your voice and audio activity:

To delete video and voice activity:

Introducing the Nest Hub from Google

Smart TVs

Standard TVs:

We should start by explaining the alternative to a Smart TV, which is a standard TV.  A standard TV is a traditional television that does not have “smart” capabilities or Internet connectivity. 

Features of a Standard TV:

Smart TVs:

Smart TVs are internet-connected televisions that allow users to stream video content, access apps, and browse the internet.

Features of a Smart TV:



Choosing the best Smart TV in 2023

Set up your smart TV for the first time (Samsung)

Don't have a smart TV?  Use streaming devices.  Walks you through the process.

Smart watches

Introduction

A smartwatch is a portable device designed to be worn on a wrist.  Like a smartphone, they use touchscreens, offer apps and may even record your heartrate and other vital signs.

There are many players in the smartwatch field, including Apple, Samsung, Sony and more.

Types of smartwatches:

There are generally two types of smart watches.

The first is the general-purpose smartwatch like Apple Watch and Google powered watches.  These are designed to replace traditional wristwatches and are smartphone dependent.  They include Apple watches, Wear OS watches (uses Google Wear OS operating system) and Tizen watches (designed by Samsung for the Galaxy line of smartwatches).

The other niche of smartwatch includes specialty devices intended for a specific use.  These often offer a more robust version of a fitness tracker and are somewhere between a phone-dependent smartwatch and a stand-alone fitness tracker like Fitbit.  Examples include hiking watches and diving watches.

Features of most smartwatches:

Health related things

Are you in the market?  This video describes what is on the market and what will work with your phone.

Features of Apple Watch 9, in video  only.  You can pause video to compare with your watch.

Features of Galaxy Watch 4

Comparing Apple Watch to a Samsung watch

On the fence between Apple and another smartwatch?  Here are some similarities and differences between the two.  For comparison purposes, we will compare the Apple watch with a Samsung watch.

Similarities:

·         Costs are similar (Apple watches from $250 and up, Samsung from $200 and up.  

·         Both offer GPS, ECG monitor, sleep tracking

·         Always on screen

·         OLED touchscreen, visible even in direct sun

·         Health tracking (heart rate, blood oxygen monitoring)

·         Trip detection is now on both

·         Fitness workouts:  both offer large number of preset workouts

Differences:

·         Apple watch can only pair with iPhone, while Samsung can pair with iOS and Android

·         Battery life:  Samsung has a longer battery life (2 days vs 18 hours)

·         Apple offers more music storage (32 GB vs 8 GB)

·         Mobile payments (Apple pay vs Samsung Pay)

·         Design (Galaxy is more of traditional watch)

·         Bands (Apple sport bands vs Samsung leather-like bands)

·         Music:  Galaxy supports Spotify, Apple has Apple Music you can download and stream playlists


Technology for aging in place

Devices linking home to caregiver or loved ones

There is quite a bit of technology surrounding older adults who may need extra care due to mobility, sensory challenges or dementia.   Some of the suggestions we have already considered.  Examples:

A recent article took an in-depth look at the technology which would enhance the security and well-being of older adults, especially those who are aging in home.  The authors looked at the needs of seniors, and came up with actual products to meet those needs.  The article also explains these devices, offers other alternatives, and discusses how they are compatible with smart home systems like Amazon or Google.  

There were devices mentioned outside the home, which include a home security system, a smart door lock, wired doorbell and a water leak sensor kit.  Devices inside the house included door and window sensors, an indoor camera, a smoke detector and a smart stove shut-off system.

Outside the home

Home security system

Smart lock for the door

Wired doorbell

Leak sensor

Inside the home

Contact sensors

Indoor camera

Smoke detectors

Stove shut-off

Fall detection:

According to the CDC, one in four adults aged 65+ falls each year, at a cost to the US healthcare system of $50 billion annually.  Many independent but vulnerable seniors have wearable devices, such as call buttons or smart watches.  These simple devices track falls and can respond with emergency help if needed. 

There are also additional possibilities.  One of these is Vayyar Care.  This is a wall based detection tool which uses artificial intelligence to detect falls and notify help, without wearables. 

Emotional companion:

Although robots are not yet a thing, there are companion pets which can bring comfort to older adults, especially those who live alone and may have cognitive issues.


One option can be robotic dogs and cats.  These products provide sound and movement and can calm agitated behavior.  Not to mention no need to feed them or to potty train them.

 Joy for All offers companion pets to bring comfort, companionship and fun to elders.  At a cost of $124.99 for cats or $139.99 for dogs, you get a companion pet with built-in sensors and speakers. Sensors respond to motion and touch.  And they respond by purring or barking. 

Lesson Summary

Lots of information today!  Make sure and research those things which are important to you, and pass on information to those who might benefit.