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CTIA 2006

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GreatCall

Posted by: Kent German
Thu Apr 06 01:13:00 PDT 2006

Simplified cell phones, especially designed for teens, are growing in number all the time. But at the other end of the population spectrum is a group that's received far too little attention from the cell phone industry. Seniors want cell phones too, but they have specific needs that should be addressed. In particular, they want simple, easy-to-use handsets that lack fancy features but have large displays and buttons to aid those with poor vision. At CTIA, GreatCall, a new MVNO aimed at seniors, introduced two handsets that incorporate much of the above. The Jitterbug Dial has large, brightly backlit keypad buttons, a basic interface, and a utilitarian design. Since it has a full keypad, the Dial is meant for users who will make calls regularly. Alternatively, for emergencies only, the Jitterbug OneTouch ditches the standard keypad in favor of three one-touch buttons that connect the user to a carrier operator, emergency services, and a user-programmed contact. Both are white flip phones with bulky but lightweight form factors designed by Samsung. Exact pricing and plans will be announced later, with service expected to start this summer. Stay tuned for photos.

TalkBack
6 messages

Elderphone

After Mom had a stroke and was in & out of rehad facilities we tried to set her up with a cell phone. This was about 2002. The problem we had ongoing was that Mom's synapses said that one ended a call by setting the phone down face down. Period. Sigh. We could *not* get the process of turning it off to register at that synaptic level and her brain was not up for retaining new info. Her joke was "Now I have a mind like a steel sieve!" Oh, the bills!

The simple suggestion I would make, which the phone(s) mentioned here have, would be to make sure to get a flip phone. I think the ability to "hang it up" by closing it, would have made it a a LOT more intuitive for Mom. The fact that their design makes them prone to lying face up when open would help too, I think.
by nwarnock (See profile) - October 8, 2007 5:49 PM PDT

jitter phone refund?

i recenty got a jitterbug phone andit did not work in my area. the say they will refund the phone if not used over 30 minutes if you are not completely staified.they did not refund the whole amount that they promised.i think is is a ripp off and im am not happy. i trusted this company because they are in the vfw mag that we get every monthand thought they would do as promised. they kept 45 dollars of my money and now im just out that. if elder people in rual areas want a cell phone . go to your local phone company jitterbug is NOT the answer
by tat2dma (See profile) - February 2, 2007 5:56 AM PST

Phone for Seniors

Why inventing new phones? Seniors would have all the features thay need with the Nokia 6130: ring, vibrate, blink, large screen,volume control. It is very handy. Check it out!
by haingu@yahoo.com (See profile) - August 4, 2006 7:50 AM PDT
5 out of 10 users found this comment helpful | 2 comments

Jitterbug cell phone great for Seniors & Disabled!

It is about time that Seniors and the Disabled have a cell phone that is easy for them to use! With so much emphasis on small size in the industry, the majority of cell phones are too small for shaky or weak hands to hold and the displays and buttons are too small to see or use easily.
The Jitterbug phones being "bulky" is a distinct advantage to make them easier to handle.
In the past two years, I unsuccessfully spent hours trying to find a cell phone suitable for my elderly father and step-mother. I have a paraplegic cousin who could benefit from an easy-to-hold and easy-to-see cell phone, too.
My sincere thanks to GreatCall and Samsung!!!
by Alison7 (See profile) - April 8, 2006 6:37 PM PDT
20 out of 20 users found this comment helpful

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