The COVID-19 pandemic gave me an opportunity to spend a lot of time with my parents. Apart from the usual "Why did you wake up so early today?" jibe, it was smooth sailing.

My parents, both being in academic fields, were asked to deliver lectures online by their respective institutions. Thus began their most frustrating moments spent on the laptop, cussing the recondite UIs of all requisite software, cussing the companies involved in building those software, and finally, cussing technology in itself. I observed that things that were too basic for our generation, seemed like an uphill task for the older generation. Being unable to find the "Upload File" option, unable to switch on the mobile-hotspot; It was a total roller coaster ride for my folks, and a splendid laughing riot for me.

But it got me thinking. Why?

Why should any generation feel the least bit of discomfort while operating a simple device like a mobile phone? There must be something that can be done?

Thus, I set out to explore this avenue. I wish to build the most easily usable phone UI possible on the planet. And although I am sure that tons of people would have tried this earlier (or are still trying), we don't have a popular mobile UI launcher for the elderly yet, at least in India. Thus, the plan of action is as follows:

  1. Identify all possible pain-points of the older generation while using a mobile phone. What ticks them off? Why are they struggling with basic navigation through apps?
  2. Understanding previous approaches to the problem, and their flaws. Pick up the best traits from these previous implementations.
  3. Pick each previously noted pain-points, and devise a solution for each of these problems, individually.
  4. Integrate all the solutions together into one launcher, code named Geriatrix (obvious Asterix comics reference)!

Over the course of next few weeks, I intend to read germane research literature, attend webinars, and watch lectures on YouTube, and speak to the target demographic to best understand and tackle the problem. Interested folks are most welcome to join me in this quest!

Next Up:

Problems faced by the geriatric population while using Mobile Phones