Empty-nesters enter the smart age with smarter devices

Every time Ai Yuanxi switches on the TV, the first pictures she sees are those from her son. He lives in Berlin and sends pictures of Ai's 16-month-old grandson to her TV every day.

"It's amazing that you can receive pictures on TV," says the 65-year-old grandmother, who lives in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. "It's handy and the pictures are much larger than those on cell phones or computer screens. It's like my grandson is right in front of me."

Ai's TV has a set-up box specially designed for the elderly. The TV has some computer functions, but the remote control pad makes it much easier to use. More importantly, she won't suffer from neck pain or strain her eyes even if she spends hours in front of the TV. As China's population ages, some internet-based products are becoming easier to use for the elderly who are less familiar with the technology. These smart products can help parents and their children maintain a comfortable distance, while continuing their close bond without getting involved in each other's life too much.