This paper presents a qualitative investigation on user reactions, opinions, and sentiments about a TV-based technological solution developed within the EasyReach Project of the EU Ambient Assisted Living Joint Program to promote social interaction of less educated elderly people, that is, those individuals who, because of poor scholarization, low income, and, possibly, linguistic barriers, still find it difficult to use computers in order to improve their socialization. Experimental data were collected by extensive trials involving 40 real-end users. A methodology called "scenario engagement" was applied to get participants engaged in a live demonstration with the mediation of a facilitator who assisted elderly people to interact with the system. Results point out that the system can be effectively employed to foster social interaction, particularly when it is introduced in a collective use environment (e.g., Senior Center). Although the focus of the investigation was on information and communication technology-enabled social environments, the end users themselves strongly suggested to include in future system releases extra functions considered as essential opportunities for their potential digital lives: that is, medical or health services and bridges toward public administration.

This study applies a multidisciplinary approach to build scenarios on both digital television (DTV) adoption and use of T-government services by citizens. Usability and socio-economic aspects were investigated earlier by an Italian pilot study. Dataset derived from this study was later analysed using the UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) model in order to identify those factors affecting the usage as statistically reliable variables for the next step. In fact, a micro-simulation model on the diffusion of DTV and T-government services was built in order to better understand the user behaviour at various stages in the adoption course of this new digital technology. Microsimulation is also capable of predicting the consequences of certain policies at different levels (i.e. business and governmental). The model shows how some DTV and T-government scenarios on the adoption by the citizens can be influenced by different policy strategies: switch-off date, public communication campaigns, taxes reduction

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The paper introduces a qualitative investigation to explore and analyse user experience of elderly people (age range from 70 to 79) with digital television and, more in general, with future services made available by broadband ICTs.