A Danish IT company has developed a new plug-and-play computer for old people knowing little about IT technology to get online, Copenhagen Post reported Thursday.
The computer was designed by dukaPC, a new Danish IT company. According to Erik Hougaard, general manager of dukaPC, the new computer has been designed for people who are not used to using computers but want to learn.
"Of course, it can also be used by people who use computers already, but find it complicated and don't want to depend on technical help from friends and neighbors," he said.
About 44 percent of people aged 65-89 have never used a computer, and 53 percent of this group have never used Internet, according to Statistics Denmark.
In addition, more than 500,000 people aged above 60 do not have access to computers at home.
DukaPC said it hoped to close this digital age-gap with its new computer.
The new computer's users will not need to deal with technical matters such as security updates, installations, and Internet connectivity.
DukaPC said it would handle all updates related to the computer, and that employees would be able to remotely control it in order to fix any problems.
"This is the first plug-and-play computer I've seen. You don't need to have broadband and you don't need to deal with all the technical things in order to get start," said Soeren Hoeyer, marketing consultant for DaneAge, an advocacy association for the elderly.
"The mobile modem is installed, so all you have to do is plug it in, and then it just works," he added.
