Watch us build Dad a simpler TV.
We film it as we go: the Raspberry Pi 5 inside, the snags the instructions skip, and a TV that turns on with one tap. The full write-ups are in the stories.
Video calls on TV for seniors: one tap, no apps
A demo of a video call on the TV: Dad taps a name on a simple web remote, I get a text with a link, tap Answer and appear on his TV. No app on either end.
Brain games for seniors: a driving game on the TV
Can a driving game make you sharper? A 2013 UCSF study, and the simple driving game we built for our parents' TV, steered with their phone.
Finding the news on DirecTV vs one tap on BoomerOS
Finding MSNBC with the DirecTV remote took 2:30 and 85 button presses. On BoomerOS, our simple TV home screen, you tap what you want to watch.
Driving game for seniors: their phone is the steering wheel
A simple driving game on BoomerOS, played on the TV: tilt the phone to steer, one big Stop button and one big Go button. Inspired by a 2013 UCSF study.
BoomerOS vs DirecTV for seniors: finding the news
Finding MSNBC with the DirecTV remote took 2:30 and 85 button presses. On BoomerOS, our simple TV home screen, it took 3 taps.
YouTube on TV for seniors: one tap, no ads (and a Rickroll)
A texted YouTube link is hard for my dad to open, and ads play first. On BoomerOS I add a video from my computer and he plays it with one tap.
DirecTV self-install for seniors: how many calls for help?
Setting up a DirecTV Gemini box the way my parents would have to: 8 hurdles that would each be a call to me, and about an hour before any TV.
Netflix on a simple TV home screen for seniors, still buggy
A show sent from a tablet remote opens Netflix on our test TV and finds it. The first tap on Resume does nothing; the second one starts it.
Raspberry Pi 5 setup for a simpler TV, snags and all
A $190 CanaKit Raspberry Pi 5, the snags the instructions skip, and a TV that turns itself on with one tap on a big-button tablet remote.
DirecTV remote vs BoomerOS: finding the football game
Finding the Texas vs Oklahoma game took 56 seconds and 11 presses on the DirecTV remote, and landed on an ad. On BoomerOS it took 3 taps.