People 65 years and older are one of the fastest growing online demographics in the U.S. as of a few years ago, and in the U.K. around 16 percent of over-65s are on the Internet.

Microsoft recently announced a new project to offer a ‘senior PCs’ to the older crowd in the U.K. There are no details out there now on much it will cost or when it’ll be available. However Microsoft has ‘SeniorPCs’ available for purchase on its website. It looks like these PCs are just slightly overpriced HP computers with some extra software to make things easier for seniors. I wonder what that means? From the site:

SeniorPCs are HP computers that come equipped with user-friendly software specifically geared to senior living. Think of it as a simplified way to do it all: e-mailing, word processing, plus managing prescriptions, finances, travel planning and photos. There are even word games and number games for keeping the puzzle skills sharp. Each SeniorPC also comes with an HP color printer.

Sounds to me like the same old Windows computer creatively marketed to seniors.

I don’t see how taking a computer and slapping a new name on it is going to make it any less intimidating or financially accessible for the older crowd. I wonder what Microsoft’s U.K. partnership will yield anything different.

Is it intimidation or apathy that keep seniors from adopting technology as quickly as the rest? What might overcome these barriers for seniors?

Microsoft is expanding partnerships throughout Latin America and helping to establish programs to provide technology education.The partnerships are focused on providing technology education to at-risk youth as well as people with disabilities.

Microsoft will be partnering with or expanding partnerships in Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and international Latin American organizations.

The Dominican Today article goes through all the partnerships, and there are quite a few. The article doesn’t say how much money Microsoft plans to commit to all the partnerships, but it does say a $4 million dollar fund has been setup for Partnership in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas, which is an IT skills and job training program.