Presto “email machine” turns 5 years old!
Envision the setting: Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher—the high priest and priestess of technology from the Wall Street Journal—onstage at their D4 All Things Digital conference in 2006, about to see Presto revealed to them, the audience, and the world.
Photo: © Wall Street Journal
A photo of them is snapped by a Palm Treo smartphone, then attached to an email message, and sent. Moments later, that photo automatically prints out of a device the world has never seen before. A device that prints out messages and photo attachments sent via email, that are beautifully formatted, at high resolution, in full color—without being connected to a computer or the Internet! And with that single sheet of paper emerging from the HP Printing Mailbox, Presto computerless email was born.
Today, hundreds of thousands of family members rely on Presto to send their parents and grandparents not only email, but also airline boarding passes, Fandango tickets, medication reminders, Facebook photos and more.
Map of Presto users in America (source: Presto)
The other day, I was asked what one thing has surprised me most about seeing Presto evolve over the years. I answered that it was how clever families have been using Presto to help their loved ones remain healthy and happy from a distance. For example, we received a note from a dutiful son who took photos of his Mom’s pills and created a custom PDF medication page that he sent to her daily. We were so impressed by this that we created an automated scheduling engine to facilitate this type of task—which became the basis for the PrestoConnect communications manager.
The second thing that amazed me was just how difficult it has been to make people aware that Presto exists in the first place. Although Presto Mail has just turned five years old, throughout its “toddler” years it has been featured on TV’s The View, Montel, In the Loop with iVillage, many cable shows, and twice on The Martha Stewart Show.
Presto on The Martha Stewart Show
Presto has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and many other leading newspapers plus Parenting, Parade, USA Weekend and AARP Magazines just to name a few. But even with the substantial media coverage and online discussions Presto has garnered, I am always surprised when I hear from people I encounter who say it is exactly what their parent or granparent needs but why have they never heard of it?
Of course, I am highly sensitive to whether people just don’t KNOW about Presto, or whether they really don’t CARE about Presto. But the 5-star Amazon reviews and hundreds of messages we have received telling us how Presto has improved their lives makes me know it is the former, and that there is an awareness challenge for tools like Presto that can substantially improve the lives of America’s seniors.
Presto user reviews on Amazon.com
That’s why in 2010, I co-founded the Aging Technology Alliance with about 30 like-minded leaders of companies who are similarly trying to improve the world for our graying population. AgeTek now has over 65 member companies and organizations and is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
In addition to the wonderful interactions I have had with Presto account managers and end users—whom we lovingly nickname “Lindas” and “Betties” respectively—my life has been enriched by becoming a small part of a growing movement of concerned individuals who are advocating for change to improve the lives of our elder loved ones. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Susan Ayers Walker - founder of Smart Silvers and the leader who fanned the spark that turned into a flame which became AgeTek; Laurie Orlov - our industry’s original tech analyst; Mary Furlong - founder of the original SeniorNet and boomer industry guru; Jill Gilbert - founder of The Gilbert Guide and digital health technology guru; Dr. Marion Somers - geriatric care manager to the stars and strident advocate for senior rights; and the wonderful people at GrandCare Systems: Charlie Hillman, Gaytha Traynor and Laura Mitchell whose tireless effort, advocacy and production of their bi-weekly industry web conference have helped moved the industry forward. These are but a few of the committed individuals whom I have been honored to collaborate with in the charge to empower millions of caregivers with technology that can bring comfort, safety and happiness to their elder loved ones.
Looking back, it’s been an incredible ride. Presto has helped so many families stay more connected using the tools they prefer: senders using Facebook, iPhone, PC, etc. and receivers getting “e-letters.” We are happy to have played a part.
What’s next for Presto? We’re now working on tackling some other very big problems that are facing Americans and expect to launch our “next big thing” in 2012. Until then, thanks to everyone who has sent one of the tens of millions of Presto Mail messages that have brought a smile to a grandparent’s face.
Cheers,
Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.