Bevi Kothare, Chief Product Officer
When thinking of technology, individuals and even companies often segregate their platform for different generations. They consider the younger more ‘techie’ generation, and an older, often less technology driven generation and create products that don’t work for both. Where does that divide happen? When does it happen? Let’s delve a bit further and first see how.
Let’s take Matt for instance. He’s 28 years old and lives in San Francisco. He wakes up with a custom ringtone set by his tech assistant, Siri, on his iPhone. His slow drip coffee maker gets a Bluetooth signal when his shower turns on and starts slow dripping the perfect cup of coffee. His Amazon show forecasts the weather, he needs to bring an umbrella, and his Roomba vacuum automatically sweeps up crumbs in the kitchen as he drinks his coffee. He does a quick remote workout on his Peloton bicycle, and then orders breakfast on his smart phone to pick up on the way to work. His smart Samsung fridge reminds him he’s running low on milk, and places an order on instacart for that afternoon. His smart watch alerts him there is limited parking by his office so he hails an Uber via his homepod and it arrives promptly 6 minutes later. His smart August door unlocks for him, recognizing the phone getting closer in his pocket as he steps out, only to lock again and open automatically when the dog walker, scheduled via the wag app comes to walk his dog. This all happens before 9 am, and the day seamlessly intertwined with technology has just begun.
On the flip side, lets look at Larry’s day. Larry is a 68 year old who lives in Denver. He wakes up by his buzzer alarm clock, analog and reliable even during a power failure. He heats up water on his gas stove to make some instant coffee. He does some stretches in his back yard, and sees the clouds in the air, it will be cold with a slight chance of rain, and he makes a mental note to grab a jacket. He goes in to make his coffee and pour some cereal to go along with it. There is a newspaper waiting on the front porch and he makes a quick scribble on the front page to remind him to pick up milk when he’s out. He grabs his keys, his jacket and newspaper and walks 2 blocks to the train station to head into town. Larry forgets to grab his phone, but it’s okay, he’s not expecting anyone to call and proceeds with his day. He catches the 9 am train, and starts his day, not phased at all by new technology, unlike his counterpart.
As you can see, these two individuals don’t just represent a generation, but the reliance and attitude towards technology. One uses it at almost every waking moment, without even thinking, every day items are connected to each other to support his lifestyle. His counterpart, has largely the same type of morning, without relying or being engaged by any technology. If a company were to advertise a product, say a juicer, they would have to cater to a completely different need based on their lifestyle. Matt would need something that seamlessly integrates with the products he already has, and not be obtrusive or extra work. On the other hand, Larry would want it to be efficient, quick, and perhaps less connected or needing additional technology to work. The divide is simply a lifestyle choice rather than a generational gap. Products and services need to be catered to the lifestyles of individuals, who in essence lead similar lives, but with a different dose of technology.