Can the LG HBM-520 Bluetooth Headset Help Seniors?

We have posted about some of the Bluetooth headsets for seniors and the hearing impaired earlier this year. Well, I stumbled upon another possible Bluetooth headset for seniors as I was browsing through the Consumer Cellular website. Can this accessory suit the needs of the elderly?

But first let me tell you why a senior citizen might need a Bluetooth headset for a mobile phone. Well, it's a useful tool for those who have weak hearing. This accessory also allows one to make calls without the need to place the handsets at the user's ear.

OK, now on to the LG HBM-520 Bluetooth Headset. There are a few Bluetooth headsets in the Consumer Cellular line-up but I chose the HBM-520 because it's the cheapest at $30.00. A cheap price is ideal for seniors because they do not usually have a steady source of income.

This accessory offers dual microphones and a removable ear bud. It is designed to be comfortable fit to any user's ears. It also ensures a clear sound with its noise/echo cancellation technology and 2-mic solution.

Here are some specs for this accessory:

Weight: 11 grams
Dimensions: 52.5mm x 18.4mm x 12.05 mm
Talk time: up to 7 hours
Standby time: up to 250 hours

So what do you think? Is this an accessory that can be used by seniors?

Stay tuned for more post on mobile phones for seniors and other related topics.

Cell Phone Plans for Seniors: Consumer Cellular Anywhere Casual plan

We've featured AT&T's new $50 unlimited plan last week so I thought it would be interesting to feature another plan for seniors this week. We have already featured a large number of cell phones for senior citizens so I feel that we should also devote some post for senior-friendly cell phone plans.

Let's look at the Anywhere Casual plan from Consumer Cellular. This is currently the most affordable offering from the carrier's line-up. Affordability is the key word for elderly users since most of them no longer have a stable source of income.

The Anywhere Casual plan has a fee of only $10.00 with 25¢/additional minute. This plan only charges subscribers for minutes if you use them. It's ideal for users who use 20 cell phone minutes or less per month. If you only use your mobile phone for an emergency or casual use then this plan will work for you.

If you want to give this plan a try then you won't have a problem. The carrier guarantees a trial for 30 days/30 minutes, risk free. Users can cancel and pay nothing, if they are not are not satisfied within 30 days or 30 minutes of usage, whichever comes first.

Are you interested in this mobile phone plan for seniors? Compare it with other plans to see if it can compete with what's on the market.

That's it for this post. Stay tuned for more mobile phones for seniors as well as plans and accessories.

Is AT&T's $50 Prepaid Calling Plan Suitable for Seniors?

AT&T has recently introduced a new GoPhone prepaid calling plan that only cost $50 per month and will be available starting June 26. Will this offering be suitable for senior citizens?

This new AT&T cell plan includes a number of cool features including unlimited talk, text, and Web. Consumers will also get unlimited text and instant messages to Mexico, Canada, and 100 other countries from this $50 per month plan?

Well, I guess that depends if a senior really needs to get unlimited minutes or web. Perhaps an elderly person with friends and family in Mexico, Canada, and the 100 other countries can benefit from this plan.

However, there are cheaper cell phone plans for seniors in the market for those who do not require an unlimited plan. For instance, the GreatCall Basic 14 offers 50 anytime nationwide minutes for only $14. 99 with no contracts, roaming charges, cancellation fees, and data charges. The Just 10 plan provides 100 minutes + 50 text messages for only $10 and the Tracfone SVC plan starts at just $7

PureTalk USA also offers a good plan with starts at $10/month for 101 minutes with no contract, no restrictions, and no extra fees.

So if a senior really needs unlimited talk, text, and Web plus unlimited text and instant messages to Mexico, Canada, and 100 other countries, then this is a good plan but otherwise, there are plenty of better offers in the market.

That's it for this post. Stay tuned for more cell phones for seniors and plans for seniors as well as related topics.

The Affordable Tracfone LG 231c

Tracfone is a good carrier for seniors who want solid phones with affordable rates. We have featured a number of Tracfone including the SVC. Let's look at another phone from this carrier to give you more options.

Like most cell phones for seniors, the LG 231c is a simple device that performs very well for making and receiving calls. It also supports text messaging so it's also a solid device for sending messages to family and friends.

The simplicity and basic features of this mobile phone for seniors will not intimidate the elderly who are not used to advance technological gadgets. It has a short learning curve and seniors users will master how to use it in a matter of hours because it does not come with complicated and flashy features.

The LG 231c also offers a user-friendly physical design. It sports a color display with graphics and adjustable fonts. It also comes with a simple keypad and navigation simple. nothing special here but simplicity is the way to go for senior users.

This cell phone from LG 231c is also affordable. Users who want to try it will only pay $30. It's a good price for seniors who do not spend a lot of time on cell phones and who do not have a steady source of income.

Here are the rest of the useful features for this cell phone for senior citizens:

• Alarm Clock
• Bluetooth Capable
• Call Waiting
• Caller ID
• Camera
• Color Screen
• Graphics Download
• HAC Compatible
• Handsfree Speaker
• Phone Book with up to 1,000 Entries
• Text MessagingText/Picture Messaging
• Vibration Alert
• Voice Command/Dialing
• Voice Recorder
• Voicemail

That's it for this look at another Tracfone cell phone. Stay tuned for more as we feature other cell phones for the elderly.

The Simple Samsung Factor from Boost Mobile

Services and cell phones from prepaid carriers are often suitable for seniors because they are cheap and uncomplicated. Boost Mobile is one of the best prepaid carriers in the US and offers a number of devices that can help seniors such as the Samsung Factor.

The Samsung Factor SPH-m260 is a simple device that is designed to be an affordable option for mobile consumers. It arrived into the market with a price tag of $49.99 without a contract. This cheap price makes it a good handset for seniors who often do not have a steady source of income.

The design of this handset also favors senior users. For instance, it sports a 2-inch TFT internal display with a 128-by-160-pixel QQVGA resolution and support for 262,000 colors. It's not very large but it offers adjustable backlight time and brightness so for users with weak eyesight. It also offers a 1.2-inch CSTN external display that supports 65,000 colors and shows important information such as the date and time, battery life and signal strength.

This mobile phone for senior citizens also offers a user-friendly menu, navigation buttons and keypad. The buttons on the keypad are coated with a rubberized texture gives them a comfortable and responsive feel. Dialing and composing text messages is fast and easy since the buttons are raised above the surface and slightly domed in the center.

The keypad also offers another feature that makes it easier for folks with weak eyesight to dial or compose a message. The Factor produces a different sound with each key press so dialing by feel is easy since one does not need to look at the keypad.

Other useful features offered by this senior-friendly handset include customized ringtones, address book, Bluetooth headsets, an alarm, a calendar, a calculator, a memo pad, a voice recorder, voice commands and a VGA camera.

That's for this Samsung Factor feature. Consider this handset if you are looking for a budget smartphone from a prepaid carrier.

Just us again next week as we look at more cell phones for seniors and other related topics.

Samsung Chrono from Cricket and US Cellular

In the age of powerful smartphones, it's a good thing that carriers still find the time to release simple cell phones that can help senior citizens. For instance, the new Samsung Chrono from Cricket and US Cellular allows users to have mobile communication at a time where every gadget is full of features and the latest technology.

Let's look at this basic handset and see how it can benefit the elderly.

The Samsung Chrono sports a simple clamshell design with a flat top and squared edges. It has a thick, sturdy hinge which gives it some durability. A durable phone is important for seniors, since they can't afford to replace broken handsets every month.

This cell phone for seniors sports a 2-inch TFT main display with a QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution. Users can adjust the font size, the backlight times, contrast, and theme to make viewing the text and graphics easier for user with weak eyesight. It also sports an external 1.7-inch CSTN display, which shows a number of important information including battery meter, signal strength, the date, and time.

The software on this handset is easy to navigate plus the soft keys, four-way navigation toggle and central OK button also make navigation simple. The keypad is also user-friendly with keys that are fully separated and easy to press.

The Samsung Chrono do not offer a wealth of features but the ones that come with it can help senior users. Other helpful features for this cell phones for seniors include an address book that can hold 1,000 entries, e-mail, group calling, a photo ID, and dozen ringtones. It can also send text and picture messages, and works with Bluetooth accessories.

This handset is affordable and can fit the budget of seniors. US Cellular is offering it for a penny when purchased with an agreement or $19.99 for pre-paid. Cricket is offering this cell phone for $59.99.

That's it for this quick look at a new mobile phone for seniors. Stay tuned as we feature more phones, accessories and plans for seniors.

Cell Phone Plans for Seniors: PureTalk USA Unlimited Plan

We featured the PureTalk USA Flex Plan as a possible cell phone plan for seniors last April. It's about time to look at another senior-friendly plan from this provider. Let's discuss the PureTalk USA Unlimited Plan and see if it can be of some use to seniors.

As its name suggest, the PureTalk USA Unlimited Plan offers unlimited features. This means that there are no daily, weekly or monthly limits for the subscribers.

But what about the price? Well, this unlimited plan offers $39.95/month but it has no limits so it might be a great deal for some users.

Here are the advantages of getting this senior-friendly plan:

• all taxes and fees are included
• no contracts
• no long distance/roaming fees
• free voicemail
• unlimited text and calls
• unlimited, day or night, weekends and weekdays

So is this a suitable plan for seniors? Well, it's affordable as far as unlimited plans are concerned. However, it all depends on usage. A senior who only makes calls occasionally would be better off with a cheaper plan with far less minutes. But a senior who needs to be in constant touch with family and friends should be able to enjoy the PureTalk USA Unlimited Plan.

That's it for this week. Stay tuned as we feature more plans and cell phones for senior citizens.

Senior Cell Phone Accessories: The CE50 HearItMobile

I was checking out the Clarity website when I came upon a new accessories for senior-friendly cell phones. If you remember, Clarity is currently offering the Lifephone, one of the top cell phones for seniors.

But were not going to talk about the Lifephone because we're going to feature the CE50 HearItMobile and see if it's a good accessory for senior mobile phones.

The CE50 HearItMobile is a "Bluetooth Mobile Phone Neckloop Amplifier." In simple terms it's an accessory that help hearing aid users that want hands-free cell phone use. This useful gadget amplifies incoming sounds directly from cell phone into hearing aid.

A large number of seniors use hearing aids so I'm sure that some of them would like to have this accessory.

But what about the other features? Well, the CE50 HearItMobile also features “One-Touch” technology to quickly answer or end calls. It also comes with a quick release” feature for easy and safe use. Other notable features include a 3.5mm headphone jack and a rechargeable battery that can operate for up to 14 hours.

So is the CE50 HearItMobile an ideal accessory for seniors? well, it is a solid device with a lot of features but it's missing a vital characteristic. It is being sold for $199.00 which is a very steep price for an accessory. It's probably worth that price but its an amount that only a few seniors can afford.

That's it for this post stay tuned for more mobile phones for seniors and related topics.

The Simple Nokia 1616 from T-Mobile

A new prepaid phone became available at T-Mobile just a few days ago. The Nokia 1616 is a simple handset that has minimal features. Is this handset suitable for seniors? Let's take a closer look at the 1616 to see if it has the qualities to be a good mobile phone for the elderly.

The Nokia 1616 is a handset's that geared towards consumers looking a device for basic usage. It is designed for users who want to make calls and perhaps send a few text message. The design is basic so it doesn't even have a camera. But that's not a downside when you look at it as a cell phone for seniors because simple phones are ideal for the elderly.

This basic handset sports a simple interface and menu system. It is easy to navigate so it fits the needs of seniors and less-experienced users. Its straightforward approach means that an elderly person can learn to navigate the phone in a short amount of time.

The 1616 also features a 1.8 inch color display. It's not very large but it's colorful so its easy on the eyes of users with weak vision. This phone also offers a all-in-one key mat. It's comfortable to use and it keeps out dust.

This mobile phone for the elderly also features a flashlight built into the top of the phone. It's powerful beam makes it a useful tool that can aid visually impaired users. The handset also offers other useful features including a 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in FM radio, and a speakerphone.

The Nokia 1616 is now available from T-Mobile for a senior-friendly price of $19.99.

Stay tuned for more articles on cell phones for senior citizens and other related topics.