Available now in Kindle and paperback
A patient, practical guide for older adults who want to stay connected, safe and independent in a digital world.
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Buy on Amazon — Kindle or paperback
Amazon will direct you to your local marketplace where available.
Order through a bookstore or library
Bookstore and library distribution has not yet been verified. The Kindle and paperback editions are currently available on Amazon. We will update this page if wider distribution becomes available.
ISBNs: paperback 978-1-0679347-8-1 · ebook 978-1-0679347-7-4
First edition · Kindle and paperback · Readable layouts · Patient explanations · Free companion Toolkit
Free Companion Resource: Smart Tech Toolkit
Tech for Seniors is accompanied by the Smart Tech Toolkit, a free browser-based collection of practical guides and interactive tools. The Toolkit is available now and includes a dedicated Tech for Seniors starting point.
No account or installation is required. Open toolkit.tartanleaf.com/tech-for-seniors on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Your answers and saved plans stay in that browser on your device.
If you want quicker access, use your browser’s Add to Home Screen or Install App option. The wording varies by browser and device.
What the Toolkit provides
- Start with familiar tasks – Go directly to accessibility settings, device setup, scam checks, privacy choices and digital-literacy tools
- Check suspicious messages – Review texts, emails, phone numbers, web addresses or screenshots for common warning signs
- Follow plain-language guides – Work through passwords, larger text, backups, scams and other everyday tasks
- Make practical plans – Save checklists and next steps locally in your browser
- Adjust accessibility – Change text size, contrast and motion settings
The Toolkit is free to use and requires no sign-up. It does not contain advertising, and the information you enter is processed locally in your browser.
Open the Smart Tech Toolkit for Tech for Seniors →
What This Book Covers
- Smartphones and Tablets — iPhone and Android basics: calls, texts, photos, apps, and settings
- Video Calling — FaceTime, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Zoom, and whatever your family or organization already uses: joining safely, checking the camera and sound, and solving common problems
- Email and Messaging — Setting up, reading, writing, and managing your digital correspondence
- Online Banking and Payments — Reaching accounts safely, understanding transactions, paying deliberately, and responding to suspicious activity
- Social Media — Facebook, Instagram, and staying in touch without overwhelm
- Photos and Memories — Taking, organizing, backing up, and sharing photos and videos
- Files, Cloud Storage, and AI — Finding and protecting files, understanding synchronization, and using AI as an assistant rather than an authority
- Staying Safe Online — Passwords, scams, phishing, and privacy settings made simple
Who This Book Is For
- Adults aged 55+ who want to master their devices with confidence
- Family members helping parents or grandparents get comfortable with technology
- Anyone who finds standard tech guides move too fast or use too much jargon
- Retirees looking to stay connected, entertained, and engaged digitally
- Anyone who believes it is never too late to learn
What Makes This Book Different
- Readable layouts and clear diagrams — Designed to make information easy to follow and revisit
- Plain-language explanations — Key terms are introduced in context and collected in a glossary
- Companion Toolkit – The free Smart Tech Toolkit provides interactive guides, checks and practical planning tools
- An older adult’s perspective — Greg Weir wrote the book in his mid-sixties after a working life spent adapting to changing technology
- Patient pace — One concept at a time, with plenty of review and encouragement
Release Status
The Kindle and paperback editions are available now on Amazon.
ISBNs: paperback 978-1-0679347-8-1 · ebook 978-1-0679347-7-4
← Back to Smart Tech for Real People
Related Titles
Other titles in the Smart Tech for Real People series:
- Digital Literacy – Kindle and paperback available now; foundation skills for understanding and using modern technology
- Scam Safety — A practical guide to scams, impersonation, identity theft and recovery; available now in paperback and Kindle on Amazon
- Home Networking — Wi-Fi, routers, and getting the most from your home internet
See the full Smart Tech for Real People series →
Buy the Book
Choose Kindle or paperback on Amazon. Amazon will direct you to your local marketplace where available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Tech for Seniors
Am I too old to learn this technology?
No. Technology is a collection of skills, and skills can be learned with patience and practice. The book uses clear language, short sections, diagrams, and step-by-step practice without assuming that everyone starts from the same place.
How do I make text bigger and easier to read on my phone?
Both iPhones and Android phones include settings for making text and other screen elements larger. The book shows where to find text size, display size, bold text, and contrast controls on iPhone or iPad, Android, Windows 11, and Mac. Menu names vary by device and version, so it also explains how to search Settings when a route has moved.
Why are some text messages blue and some green — does it matter?
On current iPhones, blue indicates iMessage. Green can indicate RCS, SMS, or MMS—not only SMS. RCS can provide richer group conversations, higher-quality media, typing indicators, and delivery or read information when the participants, carriers, apps, and settings support them. Colour is a clue, not a complete security or delivery report; read the message field or conversation details when the distinction matters.
How do I know if an email is a scam?
Urgency, secrecy, requests for money, passwords, verification codes or personal information, and unexpected attachments or sign-in links are reasons to pause. Grammar, logos, and a familiar sender name are weak tests. The book explains how to leave the message and verify through the official app, a saved bookmark, a card or statement, or another route you chose independently. It also explains when to use Report phishing, Spam, Junk, or Block controls.
How do I set up a video call to see my grandchildren?
The book teaches habits that transfer across FaceTime, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Zoom, and other services. It explains how to verify an invitation, use the pre-join preview, check the camera, microphone, and speakers, join or start a call, use captions, protect what is visible, and troubleshoot common sound, picture, connection, and permission problems. Exact buttons vary by service, device, account, and organizer settings.
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