Top 5 Products I Would Recommend to My Parents
By Devin C. Johnson, NBC Universal
I'm here at CES and I'm starting to regain my excitement for the consumer electronics world. By far my favorite trend, is the internet enabled televisions. But enough about me and my wishes...let's talk about the folks with disposable income. Baby Boomers...and two in particular, my parents.
Because I seem to have fallen into the role of the "Chief Decider" of all things electronic in their household, I now have them in the back of mind when I'm walking the floor looking at all the cool innovative stuff.
The criteria for them is simple...they like being on the front end of the curve but it has to be simple...they are mildly price sensitive, so the outrageously expensive items are a non-starter.
So without further adieu...here are the top 5 things I think my parents should have in their house:
5. Iluv iPod/iTouch Clock Radio
It's time to trade in that 20 year old clock radio that's been sitting on the nightstand. This cool little device would allow them to wake up to their favorite tunes and also features bigger #'s so no one has to squint in the morning. They already have an iTouch so they won't have to learn a new device. One minor drawback is that my mom would have to download the iLuv app...which will require a little training.
4. The Toshiba Satellite U505
I believe it is finally time for my parents to become a two laptop household. They have a fairly hefty laptop that was purchased for the big screen and is a bear to move. I've been sensing a little tension related to certain individuals hogging the laptop and changing settings...so in an effort to preserve their 40 year marriage, it is time for them to have their own laptops. This little nifty laptop features a slim design that will allow them to experience the freedom of watching tv with a laptop in their lap....like I do.
There are 2 people in the house and they have 4 tv's...so it's time 2 PC's for 2 people shouldn't be a stretch.
3. Canon Powershot A495
My mom loves, loves, loves taking pictures. But she has this nack of changing the settings inadvertently which creates can sometimes create some really out of focused pictures. She needs a camera that has one setting and I think I found it. It's the Power Shot A496. It has some smartfocus feature that will allow her to always go back to that one setting and she will have picture perfect pictures...imagine that.
2. Schlage HomeLink System
How cool is this product? In full disclosure, I know some folks that work there...but I love this thing. Imagine being able to turn lights on and off, lock/unlock doors, and turn the Christmas tree lights on. Imagine that...oh yeah, imagine doing that remotely from a cell phone. The Schlage Homelink system would allow my parents to travel and let their favorite son in the house no matter where they are in the world. They can track activity in the house using a camera and can change the temperature remotely...which can certainly prevent a pipe freezing incident in Chicago.
You can't beat total control of your house regardless of where you are in the world....
1. TV, TV, TV
I want them to up their TV game. My parents have a plasma...but that's so 2004. It's now all about LCD, LED and Connectivity. My parents haven't discovered online video to a large degree, but it's inevitable. I can definitely see my mom watching a the Law & Order she missed on her internet connected television.
So for all you sons and daughters serving as your family's help desk...keep an eye out for what will work for your parents...after all, how often do you get to spend someone else's money.
