Grandroid and Nandroid

Custom android UIs and app bundles for older people

We all know someone (typically 50+) who’s looked at their phone and said in an exasperated tone: “All I want it to do is make calls”. So at the fundamental level this product is a large, easy to use UI with simple access to a small range of core functions.

Of course once someone is happy with the basics they then immediately want to do more - regardless of what was said before - so a set of pre-bundled apps for enhanced security (digital and personal) immediately then takes them to the next level.

Appropriate apps exist already for older phone-users and many more are only a matter of time. However the app markets, as with a great many online content channels, are becoming large and un-navigable. And if there was any user demographic that would be likely to embrace a curated service it’s this one.

Example core apps (all of these exist at various stages of maturity/sophistication and are free)

• Fall detector with sequential help escalation (from next of kin to emergency services)
• GPS location tracking for those inclined to wander off
• Medication reminder app
• Health, mental health, nutrition monitoring apps
• Family/social-network calendar with reminders (birthdays, anniversaries, etc)

Additional lifestyle apps (optional but targeted)

• Information resources
• Health and fitness
• Dating (it's true - they're out there in numbers)
• Etc, etc, etc

As a channel curator we could ask for a cut of any activated apps. Also handset manufacturers and network operators could target this under-penetrated market segment using a bundled UI and app offering.

This can be targeted at the children (adult) of the elderly. These key influencers on the elderly are more likely to adopt/use smartphones, need less convincing of the platform’s benefits – giving space to focus on user the specific value-add – and are willing to act.

It could also lead to similar concepts for the mentally disabled and those with mobility disabilities.

Music in the key of £

The unsigned band merchandise site

Here's an idea that's just crying out to be done - a branded merchandise store for unsigned bands. There must be hundreds of thousands of new/unsigned/garage bands out there at the moment, with no shortage of supply to replace those who don't make it. And what self-respecting band's vision of success doesn't have the band and/or their adoring fans decked out in t-shirts, caps and badges emblazoned with the band's name?

So there's a market out there. Each band might in its entire lifetime only order five pieces of apparel, but, with the sheer number of potential customers (including families and friends) and the high churn rate, the markets total volume should be high enough to make a nice earner for someone even at low margins.

The technology and services needed to set this up are easily available and require very little cost and effort to set up. I've set up a sample site at www.filthycool.com using an online apparel customising and ordering service called spreadshirt.net. All the example site would need now is an appropriately themed CSS template creating and it's ready for business. The pricing I've used in the sample would return a £1 profit per item.

With the site complete, a marketing and advertising campaign would be needed to establish the brand name and acquire users (both bands and shoppers). I think it would be ideal for someone who would be happy working the unsigned band gig circuit to get bands on board and advertising in publications like NME as well as online.

In terms of maintaining the site, the only involvement would be in ensuring the logos to be used are suitable and uploaded. The spreadshirt.net service even allows purchasers to use the logos as they wish on any of the items stocked (including buttons, caps, coasters etc).

Most bands would buy very few items but now and then a band might over time generate substantial sales. Probably a bit of a lifestyle business, but I think the potential is there for the taking.