Presto: Because Computers Scare Old People
TechCrunch reported today on Presto, a new service for people who don’t currently have internet access. The service uses a printer which hooks to a telephone line to receive email. When someone sends you email at your presto.com email address, it prints on the printer.
The Presto printer costs $150 and the service costs $10 a month. Only approved users can send email to the account, thus reducing spam printing out. But the adding of approved users requires a computer or calling an 800 number. Emails can also be sent to others, ie a more tech capable relative, advising low paper or low ink.
Such an item is perfect for those people who want to be able to receive email but do not know how to use a computer. It would allow relatives to forward pictures, documents, and other information to them with a minimum of fuss. It also helps their tech savvy relatives avoid being tech support for their less savvy relatives.
I’ve been hearing ads on the radio for this all week. The printer is marketed as a Hewlett-Packard printer with service provided by Presto. Unless I’m missing something, isn’t this just a color fax?
Well, a fax is accessible by a telephone number. Communication to this device is by an email gateway. But, since a fax isn’t that far off from a modem, the analogy is not totally off.
I find their marketing strategy to boomers and seniors insulting.
If you want to know why, I blogged about it on nov 16
http://www.thesavvyboomer.com/the_savvy_boomer/2006/11/presto_marketin.html
They are marketing to people who don’t want to learn computers but still want to be in the electronic loop. That demographic does skew older. We do agree that they should adjust their phrasing though.
I feel for people that are unable to use a computer, that have dementia, this is a great way for their children and loved ones to communicate with them on a daily level. Great idea and invention!