iPad Proves Popular With Older Buyers

The iPad is helping to bring computing to senior citizens, a group traditionally overlooked by technology marketers and for whom traditional computers present a challenging learning curve.

The iPad’s intuitive interface makes it appealing to senior citizens around the world, says Takahiro Miura, a researcher at the University of Tokyo: “The iPad is a good tool for the elderly because it’s very forgiving of mistakes.” Miura’s team uses computers to help train senior citizens to rejoin the workforce. “Unlike the PC, it doesn’t require prior knowledge,” he says.

Since the iPad is brand new as a mainsteam technology, seniors are on equal ground with their children and grandchildren right now, which means the conditions are right for the iPad to be a shared learning experience across generations. Here’s what seniors themselves have to say:

Hikosaburo Yasuda, 95:

Hikosaburo Yasuda of Nakano, Japan, plans to buy an iPad to keep up with junior members in his computer club. “It’s important to always try new things, otherwise you get left behind,” he says.

Motoo Kitamura, 78, retired salesman:

Motoo Kitamura, 78, a former gas salesman, bought an iPad to help him communicate with his 2-year-old grandson and stave off dementia. “Trying new things like that is a good mental exercise,” he says.

Elmo Pascale, 87, reverend:

“This ‘book-sized’ pad has become my news and entertainment source,” her father, the Reverend Elmo Pascale, raved in a comment on [his daughter ] Weston’s blog.

Toshihiro Okada, 79, retired architect:

“Seniors these days have the trifecta of time, money, and curiosity,” says Okada. “The iPad is never out of my hands.”

Okada makes a good point about seniors’ combination of time, money, and curiosity. The elderly In Japan, 22% of the population, spend more on technology than any other group, except for those under 30.