Submitted by Kristan.Wagner on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 11:42am

So what's new at CES this year? Aside from the glitter and splash of the year's latest flat panels and 3D displays, there was also a refreshing does of practicality. CES 2010 featured two major initiatives aimed squarely at healthcare applications -- the Digital Health Summit and the Silvers Summit. The Digital Health Summit showcased products and services related to the consumer side of healthcare, while the Silvers Summit focused on the quality of life for seniors.

In the Digital Health booths, most companies focused on one particular aspect of healthcare, such as data collection or fall monitoring. And while the range of product types was remarkable, there was one persistent theme: wireless communication. From iPhone apps to a general-purpose monitor that compiles periodic readings such as weight or glucose levels, most of the products used wirless communications to allow two-way communication, automated health data collection, or remote caregiver assistance. These are not ordinary gizmos; these are intelligent products, well-designed and on a mission. Two wearable assistance buttons were on display, leveraging the cellular network to offer mobility and GPS capability. One model included automated fall detection in case the wearer is unable to press the button. Clearly, these are light-years beyond pendant-style alert buttons. With an eye to integrating with online electronic health records systems, digital healthcare products are becoming a vital part of modern home and wellness.

The Silvers Summit leaned more towards lifestyle, instead of treatment. These booths covered a broader set of needs, while still catering to the senior niche. And let's face it: the Boomer crowd is big in both population and disposable income. Plenty of products, like the Jitterbug cellular phone and the MyGait browser service, were squarely aimed at getting the grey crowd online and connected. While this kind of product is probably too introductory for the typical CEDIA client, it emphasizes just how important this population is, and how important it is that they stay connected. The Silvers floor had plenty of opportunities for CEDIA members, as well. Maybe your customer is interested in getting Dad a medicine dispenser and having its prescription monitor and alert system report directly to her phone. Maybe she's tired of having to re-program Mom's radio receiver after every power outage, and wants a single purpose internet radio to stream Pandora directly. Or maybe she craves the spa experience at home, and is asking for a sauna installed next to her lap pool. Whatever the lifestyle, whoever the client -- the option is available. You just need to let them know about it.

Lastly, the Quality of Life Technology Center, a partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, gave CES a quick peek into the future of digital healthcare. This research center has some exceptionally cool initiatives on display-color-changing therapy walls, wearable cameras to aid people with memory loss, and yes, a floor with a built-in scale, intended for long-term health monitoring. No word on whether it can tell the difference between you and your younger, healthier cousin, so we may have some excuses yet.