Streaming can be complicated for anyone, but it could be especially challenging for the elderly who may not be tech-savvy.
Recently, I met with the team behind Jubilee TV, a new type of set-top box that aims to simplify the streaming experience.
What’s unique? Caregivers can control the box from anywhere using their phone—handy for troubleshooting or tuning something in that’s good to watch.
Eric Luke has been using the box with his 96-year-old mom for some time now.
He likes it so much that the filmmaker made a fun little review video about it to spread the word to others.
“It immediately changed the entire nature of our relationship,” said Luke, who lives across town from his mom and would often have to visit her senior living center to help her troubleshoot TV issues.
“You have complete control over all aspects of their TV. Volume, power, and then any box hooked into it,” explained Luke, of Los Angeles.
Jubilee TV combines the characteristics of a Slingbox from the past with a Harmony universal remote. Many of the founding team members came from a combination of those companies.
The top of the box hides an IR blaster, so it can control the TV and other devices you plug into it.
“We are not a streaming device. We are a device that simplifies your streaming experience,” said Ashish Aggarwal of Jubilee TV.
You plug inputs like an antenna, DVR, or streaming stick into the back of the box and then use the Jubilee app to not only see what’s on their TV screen in real-time but control any aspect of it, from changing the channel to turning on closed captions.
“It is really for family caregivers who are living remotely from a senior with a senior who is trying to age in their own home,” said Aggarwal.
“That’s what mom is seeing right now. Instead of her trying to describe to you, hey, here’s what’s on my screen. You can just log in and see it,” said Luke.
Jubilee’s backlit remote has big, bold buttons. The home screen is uncluttered and focuses on favorites from any input, whether it’s a TV channel or a streaming box. The device lets you make video calls, send photos, and even have reminders pop up on screen.
It’s a powerful solution that benefits techy caregivers and their less techy loved ones.
“My mom’s a futurist, so she was ready for all of this. Nothing phases her,” concluded Luke.
It’s a device you can tell was created by tech-savvy folks trying to come up with a solution for tech-savvy folks taking care of their loved ones. My concern is that the solution might be too complicated for some people who have to set it up and manage it.
Plus, this convenience isn’t cheap. The box itself is $200, plus a $29 monthly fee, which doesn’t include any streaming services.
