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Spotted: As technology becomes more complex, it also becomes harder for some people to keep up with the constant changes, especially the elderly. For those who have spent the majority of their lives without an iPad or mobile phone, just learning to use one can be tedious. Now, a New Zealand startup called Kitcal is making it easier.

Kitcal was co-founded by Julie Caldwell, after she found her 90-year-old mother having a hard time keeping up with the constant updates to her iPad. So Caldwell and co-founder Julie Blackwell set out to come up with a tablet that would be easier for seniors to use. They came up with the Kitcal tablet, which eliminated the keyboard, using a mix of response buttons and pre-set emojis instead. 

The Kitcal also comes with a pre-installed SIM card, and connections provided by Vodafone, so all you need to do is turn it on. The tables can receive messages, photos and videos, and allow family members to remotely set events and reminders using the Kitcal Companion app. For seniors living alone, there is also a check-in function. 

The company will also soon be installing the option to switch the complete tablet display between English and Māori. Caldwell told Springwise that their goal is that, “The Kitcal tablets will help create a more digitally inclusive Aotearoa, keeping senior people in touch with loved ones whilst maintaining their independence.”

Once eschewed by tech companies as too old to be interested in tech, today these same companies are realising that seniors represent a large and growing market. At Springwise, we have seen a number of recent innovations and initiatives aimed at helping seniors stay digitally connected. These have included the use of VR in care homes and an autonomous shuttle bus to help seniors stay mobile.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Takeaway: Computing & Tech Innovations | Education Innovations