Older man working on a computer using Morphic's accessibility tool.

Custom MorphicBars add the ability to make a computer easier for a loved one.

Many of us have family or people in our care who get confused trying to use a computer – or won’t even consider using one. Custom MorphicBars, available with a Plus subscription, allow you to create ultra-simple ways for loved ones to do basic things like email, news and staying connected to doctors, family, and friends without knowing how to use a computer.

Morphic can help you set up a computer for a loved one.

With Morphic you can configure a special MorphicBar that runs down the left edge of the screen. On the bar you can put a series of 1-click buttons, each of which activates a particular function that your family member or friend needs.

For example, you might set up a bar with the following 1-click buttons for someone who is older and cannot use a computer otherwise:

picture of the morphic plus bar
  • My Mail – opens up their email – to their inbox – with 1 click.
  • Family Photos – open up a page showing photos that various members of the family had shared with them – that they can view and browse through – with a single click. 
  • Call Tom– launch Skype and call to a particular person – all with a single click (without having to know what Skype is, how to launch it, how to find the person in a list of contacts).
  • Worship Service – Drop them into the streaming worship service for their particular house of worship – with a single click.
  • Doctor – Contact their doctor’s office or their medical site – with a single click.
  • Family Call – drop them into their weekly family Zoom call – with a single click. Again, without having to know what Zoom is, or how to “find a shortcut on the desktop” that is covered by another window – if they even know what a shortcut or the desktop is. 
  • Pharmacy – contacts their pharmacy – with a single click.

There are lots of other options for one click buttons – most of us can think of many helpful shortcuts we could create for a friend or family member. 

Importantly, this MorphicBar does not disappear when they click one of its buttons and another window opens. As a result, they do not need to “close one app” before “opening another” (or know what an application is or means, or how to “open” or “close” them.) They can simply click back and forth between the buttons on the MorphicBar to jump to these different apps/functions/website windows. Also, the buttons do not change their appearance or location unless they or the person helping them make those changes. The interface thus stays stable even as the computer changes.

Remote setup

Morphic also allows you to do all of the customization without ever visiting the individual. The buttons on the MorphicBar can be set up remotely by simply logging into the MorphicBar Customization Tool website and setting up the desired buttons and locations there for someone else. 

Once they are saved on the website, they will automatically show up on the other person’s computer, wherever the person is located in the world. If the person wants to have a change made to their bar, they can contact the individual who is assisting them and ask for the new button or button change. It will then show up on their bar without anyone having to visit anyone. This is extremely helpful for situations where someone is in quarantine due to the pandemic, or where they simply live too far away to directly visit.

Screen sharing and general computer setup – from remote location

Morphic even makes it easy for people to use the built-in functionality in Windows and Mac OS that allow an assistant to be able to, (with the user’s permission) view the user’s remote computer screen and even control their keyboard and mouse. In this way a second person can help the individual set up their computer, install software, fix problems and answer questions – all from a remote location.