Last week we asked you to tell us how comfortable you are using smart phones and/or tablets. The majority of responders (69%) were either comfortable or extremely comfortable with mobile technology, 4% were somewhat comfortable, 9% uncomfortable and 19% said they did not own a smart phone or tablet. An increasing number of older adults are accessing the internet on computers and mobile devices and professionals in the field of aging are keeping up, often finding the technology helps them in both their personal lives and at work.

As a bonus, we also asked you what your favorite apps were and many people indicated that they use GPS and map applications on their phones or tablets. One person said, “google maps so I don’t get lost going to meetings!!” Social media applications like Facebook, LinkedIn, and hoot suite were also popular. But the most popular type of application was games, including Words With Friends, Angry Birds and card games.

Our App Recommendations

Social Media:
We second your social media recommendations, especially HootSuite and other apps that making keeping up with all your social media accounts easier. With HootSuite you can see your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, foursquare, (and more) accounts in one interface. You can also schedule posts in advance and save searches. Best of all, it’s free!

Cloud Storage:
There are several cloud storage options out there and many (like DropBox and Google Drive) are free. It’s great for those of us who always lose their USB flash drives (yep, that’s me). You can save, for example, your 2013 Aging in America PowerPoint presentation to your account and access it at the conference. (Did we mention there will be affordable internet in the hotel meetings rooms in Chicago?)

More Resources:

Upcoming Web Seminar: Social Media: Are you Ready to Engage Your Clients and Customers?, Thursday August 16, free to ASA members; $99 for non-members

Easy Peazy Apps for Online Story Telling, a blog post from aarpillinois

Top 10 Thoughts to Consider about Social Media, a blog post from LeadingAge

By: Betsy Dorsett, Senior Coordinator for Website and Social Media at ASA