There is an underlying demographic issue here. Startups tend to cater to people who have already made a lifestyle choice to embrace pervasive technology in their lives.
I am likely an outlier on HN, in that I consciously do not use technology for my "life". I go home to my kids, we play in the backyard, we go on walks, we mow the lawn, we play board games, and read books.
So do you want to know the 2 startups that DO help me?
1) Mint.com - I do need financial management, and I love mint.com for that.
2) ServiceMagic.com - I spend 5 minutes online, and within a couple hours have someone doing home maintenance work for me. THAT simplifies my life.
So whose life are you really trying to improve? Mobile hipsters? Or working folk? The problems are very different.
I am likely an outlier on HN, in that I consciously do not use technology for my "life". I go home to my kids, we play in the backyard, we go on walks, we mow the lawn, we play board games, and read books.
So do you want to know the 2 startups that DO help me?
1) Mint.com - I do need financial management, and I love mint.com for that.
2) ServiceMagic.com - I spend 5 minutes online, and within a couple hours have someone doing home maintenance work for me. THAT simplifies my life.
So whose life are you really trying to improve? Mobile hipsters? Or working folk? The problems are very different.