What Makes a Tech Product Fun for All Ages?

To my mind, there are only a few products in the high tech world that appeal to folks ages 8 to 88. What is it that makes these products span the age barrier? Ease of use, reasonable price points, and that special touch of design seem to be the three things that they all share in common.

The iPod: It's not just the youngsters that have earbuds growing out of their heads. Not by a long shot. And if you get beyond earbuds into the world of shared music, a majority of homes I walk into today have some sort of docking station to share music. A few months ago, Gizmodo reported that there have been over 100 million iPods sold.

Part of the reason is certainly marketing, and much of the reason is the iPod design, but the major reason is its close integration with iTunes. You know what you have to do when you buy an iPod, and with a few exceptions you have to play a bit of music detective when you buy competing music players.

Moms are some of the biggest music purchasers on iTunes and it's not unusual for families to dole out iTune dollars to the kids in lieu of allowance. I know folks who have bought iPods for aging parents to listen to audiobooks on.

While the design of iTunes has become a bit more muddied as Apple added different media—video, audiobooks, and podcasts—the experience still feels much more inclusive than competing music download sites like Rhapsody. The design and sheer magnitude of the iTunes web site tells you that it caters to a wide range of ages and tastes.

Dance Dance Revolution: Konami hasn't launched the DDR editions of Lawrence Welk or The Grateful Dead yet (though Sirius Radio IS launching its Grateful Dead station in September), but it doesn't seem to matter. Despite the disco/rock star ambience of the games, kids of all ages will happily make fools of themselves on the DDR screen.

Since its introduction in 1999, DDR has appeared on many platforms with many different editions. There are many DDR copycats for niche markets like Dance Dance Praise for the Christian market and Dora the Explorer Dance to the Rescue. The AARP recommended Dance Dance Revolution as a way to prolong health. It's become part of the gym curriculum for the entire state of West Virginia. A study in the American Journal of Pediatrics reported that physical games like DDR had the potential to increase energy expenditure, making screen time much like traditional play time. Now there's a new Nintendo Wii version of DDR about to be released (Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party). Not only do you get to move your feet, your hands get in on the dance act, too. Cha cha, foxtrot, and ring around the rosey could be next!

Nintendo Wii: When we look back on the catalysts that opened the world of gaming beyond the hardcore game players, Nintendo Wii will be at the top of the list. Nintendo's Wii will claim its rightful place at the epicenter. It's the only platform where folks can intuitively understand how to play the game. There are educational programs, fitness programs, music programs, and traditional games with the added twist of the Wii Remote that has motion sensing capabilities and the Nunchuk, which is similar to the Remote but with a joystick for gaming. Nintendo is promoting the Wii as simple to use for any age and any ability. The Wii attracts players of all ages and abilities. Switched shows senior citizens in a retirement home doing anything but acting retiring as they swing at flying pitches. And then there are games like Dewey's Adventure from Konami, a game for all ages with an environmental theme that's getting rave reviews.

The Sims: From SimCity to the soon-to-launch MySims (built for the youngest Sim players), EA has built a "what-if" playground for kids of any age. Beginning with the original Sims, released in 2000, there have been numerous expansion packs and compilations. In 2004, Sims2 used 3D environments and added a social component to the characters' lives with tools like the Aspiration Meter.

This fall we'll see SimCity Societies, where, for the first time, your virtual cities will have a culture, an environment, and social mores. And for younger Simers you'll see MySims for the Wii and Nintendo DS aimed at a younger audience. I've known families to build cities over the course of weeks, finish dinner, and check out what's happening to their Sim families.

When we were kids our family played Othello (the board version). The game's slogan was, "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master." That slogan rings true to products that everyone in the family can enjoy today.

Which tech products have you seen enjoyed by every one of all ages in your family?