Presto is a new startup from the bay area that has recognized that the elderly and non-intenet saavy users would still like to receive emails from their family and friends. So though I’m a web-wielding Gen Y individual I realize that my Grandparents are very much not as internet saavy.

So how does Presto work:

1. Presto delivers a printer looking machine to your house. It requires a normal phone line and an electricity jack, something that most homes have. You don’t have to have broadband or hi-speed internet at all.

2. Presto the gives the user, in my case my grandfather, a unique email address. For example that would be:

webpodge-grandpa@presto.com

3. Then all of the friends and family that would like to email the presto user register, via online, so they can send email to them. This prevents spam and is very very necessary.

4. And Presto you’re done! I can now send emails to my Grandpa and the machine will work like an answering machine of old. He sees that he has a message and then presses the print button and presto he has my email in full color and printed out on paper.

Parting thoughts…

I for one think this is a great service and one that has been a long time coming. Often times my Grandpa can’t read the small font in emails and only by his hard work did he learn how to use email. From my personal experience it actually takes quite a bit to teach a non-internet user how to set up their email, send email, compose email, etc. So kudos to you Presto, I salute you!

For more info and pictures about Presto check out Techcrunch’s article.

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