Do designers of new products seriously consider ease of use? As the December buying frenzy fizzles, we are often reminded that 70% of the US economy is driven by consumer spending. We are not reminded too often about the Longevity Economy -- that 90+ million people are 50+, have most of the money, own most of the homes and cars, and thus buy the most technology and are responsible for the existence of most jobs. And even the growth of social media shifts older - the fastest growing segment of Facebook users are aged 65+, Facebook apparently saturating and/or bored teenagers who have moved on, at least for now, to other stuff. So as some of you head off to CES exhibit halls this coming week, please consider the user interface. Look at the TV, the fitness device, the car, the ironically-titled smart phone, the tablet, the app. Count the demos you see of products you could characterize as simple, elegant, easy-to-use designs for all ages, including those who need to put on their reading glasses to read the manual or the 70% of adults who suffer eye strain peering at their devices.
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