Remotes

[Strega2]

Recently, I’ve been trying to explain streaming to my parents who are 92 and 97. So far, I’m just using their Samsung Smart TV, since it was already there (with none of the “Smart” previously used.)

I’ve noticed that many of the apps we have tried on that platform do return to the same place when you leave them and come back. My reaction tends to be: Oh, interesting, that’s convenient, I guess. But my parents don’t like it at all. They want there to always be an exact procedure like: Press Home, press Right arrow three times, press Enter, Press Down arrow… They don’t like reacting to the state of things on TV. (Which is a bit of challenge for streaming in general.)

Oh yeah, and environments that have an Exit button (like Windows) vs environments that don’t (like Android) is another interesting subject. And then there are apps on either platform where you have to press OK or SAVE after changing settings, and apps where you don’t.

And then there’s the business of explaining to my parents that the highlight in an app can be, pretty much anything. In the Samsung Home screen, the highlighted app gets bigger. On Netflix, the highlighted show is outlined. They keep asking why, and I keep saying: I didn’t design it!

Oh, and if this hasn't been covered before: An app returning to the same place doesn't mean the app has been streaming all that time. In fact, if it comes back to the exact same place in the video, that implies that it hasn't been.

[atc98092]

Yep, my mom is 90, and I won't even try to explain streaming to her. Part of the problem is she's half deaf and refuses to get hearing aids, so she doesn't understand any of us well. But she simply doesn't handle change well. I took her car shopping a couple of weeks ago, because her 2010 Equinox was acting strangely (it stopped acting up and is working fine now, so dodged that), and even though I had her sit in a new Trax and the controls were almost identical to her car, she simply could not grasp how to work anything.

While I was successful teaching my father-in-law how to use a computer when he was in his 80s, it was mostly because he really wanted to learn. Mom doesn't want anything to change, and it was bad enough when Dad passed two years ago. I've decided that trying to teach her about streaming (I am the one paying for Internet in her home) simply isn't worth the effort. She spends most of the time with the TV blaring Fox News (since she can't hear it anyway), and there's really nothing on streaming that would likely interest her.

[Emissary35]

Old people are useless with technology and most can't be taught new things even if it is very simple. They are so set in their ways and stubborn it's impossible to deal with any change for them, couple that with bad hearing and cognitive decline and it makes it even worse. If you can get them to use streaming at all I would consider that a victory.

The bad thing with modern devices is all the updates so things change, small and big changes will just cause havoc for old people when the app suddenly looks different or things get moved around because they are used to doing certain clicks to get where they want. I don't understand how it is so hard for them.

I just wonder if the younger generation now will be the same way in our 80s and 90s too since we all grew up with much more advanced technology, hopefully when we reach that age we'll be able to work things more easily and be able to adapt more efficiently.

[atc98092]

Well, I turn 70 in a bit over a week. I'm probably an exception for someone my age, but then I've been heavy in technology almost my entire life. I imagine I'll still be deep into tech into my 90s, assuming I live that long...

[Strega2]

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@emmalily0 wrote:

If you're looking to save resources,

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How does your spam link save my resources?  😀

[lr3]

I opened this topic to see there was some "secret menu" to turn off my device to save bandwidth. What do i see from "guru's", etc. ...  condescending, ageism, and insulting remarks about seniors. Shame on you! If you have an issue with your parents, try counseling. This forum is Not appropriate for personal prejudices.

[mcveyroosevelt]

Roku Ultra devices do not have a traditional power-off feature because they are designed to remain connected for updates. To reduce bandwidth usage, you can: 1) unplug the Roku Ultra from its power source when not in use, or 2) enable "Bandwidth Saver" in the Roku settings under Network > Bandwidth Saver, which will automatically stop streaming after prolonged inactivity. Additionally, turning off your TV or switching its input will minimize active streaming.

[atc98092]

@mcveyroosevelt everything you mentioned is correct except the last sentence. It doesn't matter if the TV is on or off. If the Roku was streaming when the TV is turned off, the Roku will continue streaming until the media finishes playing or the Bandwidth Saver timer (4 hours) is reached.