A Staying Vertical New Product Review
By Marsha Wilson Rappaport
You know those wonderful commercials where Senior Citizens are hanging out with their friends and large loving families? For many senior citizens, those are just wonderful fantasies. According to a study done by AARP in 2018:
“About one-third of U.S. adults age 45 and older report feeling lonely – and, due to an increased number of aging adults, the number is growing”.
ElliQ is a technological solution to keeping seniors’ company. Bear in mind, the world we grew up in included lots of Science Fiction that featured robots. Remember Jetson’s? I wanted the robotic maid – and I still do!
ElliQ is a new technology, that won’t pick up your clothes and do your laundry – but it’s fun and very chatty!
Let’s Get Started:
How secure is the delivery?
You have to sign for delivery. If you can’t get it delivered at home, you have to sign when you pick it up.
How heavy is the box?
Welcome to real life after 50! I am a writer. I wear glasses. I never lifted weights or played football. And I always watch Simone Biles with my mouth open! I read books.
As a result, lifting heavy stuff was never in my wheelhouse. Now that I am over 65, lifting something that can make me fall or hurt my back is an everyday concern.
The box, including the outer box that housed Elli-Q is 15 pounds. In short, if you are comfortable with a 10-pound bag of potatoes you should be o.k. with the box. If not, please call someone to help you.
Does it come with easy-to-understand instructions in the manual?
Now is the time to break into your happy dance! The answer is YES! Not only are there two quick start guides – but (drum roll please!) in 16 -point highly readable font.
The ElliQ instructions go step by step. The manuals are a joy! And completely eased my fears of the little white booklet written in four different languages with itty bitty fonts!
Is it easy to set-up?
The unit is essentially plug and play. You plug in the unit ( I would recommend a surge protector).
You go to your internet modem and write down the password.
The screen will display all of your internet connections.
Type in your password and wait for the magic.
What Does It Do Next?
It talks to you. When you order it, it apparently knows your name. So, I was startled when it began with “Hello, Marsha”.
It’s pretty chatty and it begins to list all of the cool things you can do with it.
Other Stuff I tried: What kinds of things can it do?
When ElliQ asked me what I wanted to do, I reacted as if I was looking at a restaurant menu with several pages. I froze. I finally decided that music was safe. I asked for music from the 1980’s. She (has a female voice) served up Ms. Tina Turner at her best. As “Better Be Good to Me” blared out, it occurred to me that the unit has an awesome sound system with an adjustable volume button on screen and manually.
Other Stuff I tried:
The unit also has a “chat” feature. You download the ElliQ app and then put in the contact info for a loved one or friend who downloads the app.
Conclusion:
This is a wonderful tech gift for seniors. Where was this invention during COVID? I am sure it would have prevented domestic strife, marital breakdowns and bored restless children.
Moreover, if you aren’t having a “vertical day”, it is perfect when you are sick, bedridden or disabled in some way. All you do is speak to it and it speaks back.
This is a great tech tool for seniors and I highly recommend it!
ElliQ
Elliq.com
1-844-888-1295
Credits
Graphics
Laughingbird Software
Adobe Express