Use of Cloud-Synchronized Settings in Intelligent Applications for the Elderly Drew Williams 1 , Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed 1 and William Chu 2 1 Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI {drew.williams, sheikh.ahamed}@marquette.edu 2 Tunghai University, Taichung City, Taiwan cchu@thu.edu.tw Abstract. Both desktop computers and laptop computers possess the ability to make themselves more elderly-friendly via the adjustment of settings within a computer. However, in modern times a user often has more than one computer – perhaps both a desktop computer at work and a mobile phone. This provides us with a problem of settings synchronization: a user with specific settings requirements, such as an elderly user, often has to adjust settings on the machines individually. If the user were to synchronize settings via cloud storage, they could quickly make updates regarding their settings preferences and have the opportunity to use more sensor data from mobile devices and thus obtain a more personalized experience on their various machines. In this paper, we discuss the use of a cloud-stored settings system that brings about the user’s data from all devices and automatically adjusts interfaces for a user’s abilities, keeping connected computers up to date with the proper interface automatically. Keywords: human computer interfaces, elderly people, cloud storage, ubiquitous computing, mobile applications 1 Introduction An active topic in human-computer interaction research is that of developing proper interfaces for the older adult user. Older adult computer users can encounter a variety of problems when using existing applications, [1] due to improper considerations taken during the development of these apps. Said issues can range from being unable to use the application due to improper graphic user interfaces, [2, 3] to being unable to understand how to use the application as a result of lacking tutorials. [3] A variety of different benefits await those elderly users who choose to learn how to use computer applications – ranging from entertainment and education possibilities to medical monitoring applications. [4] As a result, a variety of approaches for making the use of computers easier for elderly users have been developed. One of the solutions suggested is that of intelligent interfaces. Based on either user input or automatic data collection (and perhaps both), an application using an intelligent interface can decide whether a user is feeling frustrated or happy, is having Advanced Science and Technology Letters Vol.46 (Cloud and Super Computing 2014), pp.146-153 http://dx.doi.org/10.14257/astl.2014.46.33 ISSN: 2287-1233 ASTL Copyright © 2014 SERSC