Videos and Images of the Doro PhoneEasy 740 Android Smartphone for Seniors

A few days ago we did an initial post on the Doro PhoneEasy 740 based on the press release. Fortunately, other tech sites have honed in on this device and published some nice phones and hands-on videos. Hopefully, these new details on this fascinating cell phone for seniors will give us some ideas on how it can be useful for the elderly.

This phone runs on the Android OS from Google and will attempt to unite senior users with smartphones. Doro hopes to combine its expertise with senior phones and the Android operating system to form a smartphone that is still ideal to the needs and requirements of the elderly,

Let's begin with the Doro PhoneEasy 740 pictures. Here's a couple of images from Cnet UK:

The first picture shows a shot of the phone at an angle. It shows us the physical buttons on the front which appears to be really large, raised from the surface and easy to use. It shows that the elements of a cell phone for seniors being incorporated into a smartphone.

We can also see the touchscreen, which measures 3.2 inches. Now, that's fairly small among today's touchscreen handsets. But it's huge when compared with other basic phones that are offered to seniors. We also see that the fonts used on the display are large making it  a good device for users with poor vision.

 

This image shows the handset's sliding keypad. This is great because I realize that some elderly users might not favor a device that relies purely on a touchscreen. A physical keyboard is almost a requirement for any decent handset for senior. We can see that the buttons are fairly large making the phone user-friendly for seniors.

Now let's look at the other aspects of its design with images from Engadget:

This image shows the phone's 5-megapixel camera and the an emergency button for summoning help. A camera is not really necessary for senior users but having a good one in a phone is a great bonus. It can be used to take images of grandchildren and other interesting stuff. The emergency button on the other hand is a requirement for senior-friendly phones because it allows users to call for aid in emergencies.

Here are a video that feature the Doro PhoneEasy 74 Android Smartphone as it was showcased at MWC. Enjoy:

What do you thin of this device? Is it finally time for a smartphone for senior citizens?

Doro PhoneEasy 740: A Smartphone for Senior Citizens?

Basic cell phones with simple and easy-to-use features are usually best for the elderly. However, some senior citizens are fast becoming tech-savvy and familiar with modern technology. These types of users might find a need to use a smartphone with more capabilities.

Enter Doro. This company is already a known maker of  cell phones for senior citizens and offered a couple of devices via Consumer Cellular. However, the company has decided to take the next step and offer a smartphone that might be ideal for the need of seniors immersed in modern technology.

The new Doro PhoneEasy 740 was recently unveiled at the at the global Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.. The company intends this device to be used by people who are in their late age. In the press release, Doro expressed its goal of being the 'the benchmark for all easy-to-use Android mobile applications and Windows PC services developed specifically for seniors".

So the company intends to integrate a straightforward user interface, a web-based management portal and applications and content specifically for seniors to make a smartphone fit for the requirements of an elderly.

Now let's talk more about the Doro PhoneEasy 740. This phone is expected to sport a slider design with a touchscreen and also a large, well-spaced keypad. It will run on Android and will be released globally in the summer.

The details for this cell phone for seniors is pretty limited. But we expect more in the coming months as we get closer to the launch. Stay tuned for photos videos and our impressions when more info and details arrive.

What do you think? Can Doro succeed in selling smartphones for seniors?

ABC's Simple Phones to Enhance Your Health

I stumbled upon an interesting video that features one of the top cell phones for seniors in the market. The video is entitled "Simple Phones to Enhance Your Health" and looks at the Jitterbug J and its health enhancing features. It was aired by ABC's Ahead of the Curve show, a program that looks at gadgets and technology.

I wish that they had also included other phones for the elderly in the video but it is what it is, as they say. Here's the video for your enjoyment:

Jitterbug CEO David Inns discussed the best features of his company's famous phone and its rate plans. He touched upon the phone's simple interface, big buttons, noise reduction technology, and app capability.  He also talked about the apps that can enhance the health of the user such as the health tips, the Live Nurse app, Wellness Call, and emergency personal serve.

The company's connection to the American Heart Association was also mentioned in the clip.

Hopefully, other mobile phones for seniors will gain the attention of big networks and be featured in their high-profile shows.

Stay tuned for other videos, and related post on handset for the elderly and other related topics.

Senior Mobile Phone Tutorial: Adding Emergency Contact Numbers to the Just5 J509 Phone Book

Let's add another type of post to our blog. I thought that tutorials would be great because these type of post are helpful for folks who want to lean how to fully use their phone. Of course, we will focus on functions that can help the elderly.

For this post, we will look at a key function of the Just5 J509 cell phone for seniors. This phone allows users to add five emergency numbers to its phone book. This is a way for seniors to quickly call someone in cases of emergency.

Before we begin the tutorial, here's an image of the Just5 with its buttons and navigation keys. this will make the step-by-step guide easier to follow:

 

Now we can begin. Here's how to add emergency contact numbers to the phone book of your Just5 J509.

1. First press the Navigation Up key to access the menu.
2. Then select option “Phone Book” by pressing the Answer key or Green key.
3. Press the Navigation key up or down until “Emergency Number” option is displayed.
4. Press the Answer key or Green key three times, input the  phone number, then press the Answer key or Green key again.
5. Repeat up to four times to fill the five emergency contact slots. Entering five emergency contacts improve the chances of getting an answer.

But what about if you want to change an existing emergency phone number? Well, simply repeat steps one to three. Then press the Answer key or Green key, then scroll down to “Edit Record” option, and press the Answer key or Green key twice. Edit the number by using key pad, press the Answer key or Green key to save the new number.

There you have it. A simple but useful tutorial for a cell phone for senior citizens. Stay tuned every week for more tutorials and related topics.

Sprint Samsung MPH-M370: Simple and Reliable

The Samsung MPH-M370 from Sprint is one of the newest basic phones to enter the market. We seem to be getting fewer of these phones as the trend continue to swing towards powerful smartphones. But not to worry. Simple phones will always be available as long as there are young teens and seniors. Now back to our featured phone for this post.

Last year, Sprint's Samsung SPH-M360 proved to be a solid cell phone for seniors and this year's MPH-M370 is very similar with a few adjustments and alterations. So it should also be a good choice for seniors, right? Well, let's look at the details of this handset to see if it should be considered as a good option for the elderly.

Let's first look at the overall design. Well, there's no surprise here. It's a simple clamshell phone with a bubbly gray finish for good grip and dimensions that make it a compact phone that is easy to carry. Here are some images to give you a good look at this phone:

The main display of this phone measures 2.4-inches with 320x240-pixel resolution. It's a good size and bright enough for seniors with poor eyesight. It has a small interior screen which provides some key details without the need to open the phone. It shows the time, date, signal strength, and battery life.

A look at the phone's keypad and navigation array will indicate that it's an easy-to-use device. It has rubber keys, which are easy to press and respond will to the user's touch. The buttons are also large and separated so users will not find it hard to find a particular number to press. There are also bumpers, which guides your fingers so one can dial even without looking at the buttons. 

Performance-wise, the Samsung MPH-M370 scored good marks overall. The call quality is good and the speakerphone also performed well.

The main features offered by this mobile phone for seniors also include a 1.3-megapixel camera, an alarm, a calendar, a calculator, address book, 10 preloaded ringtones, Bluetooth support and multimedia text messaging.

Here a few videos to give you another angle on this phone:

Follow this blog if you wish to see more post on the best cell phones for seniors in the market.

Senior Cell Phone Comparison: Tracfone SVC Phone Vs Consumer Cellular Doro PhoneEasy 410

Are you ready for another battle of mobile phones for seniors? A week ago we matched up the Jitterbug J against the Just5. This time we will compare two more excellent phones for the elderly. Here's a comparison of the top senior-friendly features of the Tracfone Senior Value Cellphone and the Doro PhoneEasy 410 from Consumer Cellular.

We will follow the same formats with images and information to let our readers decide. Let's begin with:

Overall Design:

 

Front closed:

Opened:

Displays/ Screens:

The Tracfone SVC phone sports dual displays. The external screen has a resolution of 128 x 128 and the larger internal display measures 1.5 inches with 65K colors. On the other hand, the Doro PhoneEasy 410 features a larger 2 inch LCD display with 176 x 220 pixels.

Keypad/Buttons

Both of these phones have keypad with buttons that are ideal for senior mobile phone users. The SVC Phone comes with over-sized lighted keys while the Consumer Cellular Doro PhoneEasy 410 offers a spacious  keypad with large digits, and the separated keys that are raised above the surface.

Senior-friendly features:

Let me enumerate the features of these phones that can help seniors. Let's begin with the SVC phone:

• Easy menu navigation
• 911 Emergency Location Assistance
• Hearing Aid Compatible

And for the PhoneEasy 410:

• Emergency SOS button 
• Speakerphone
• Hearing aid compatibility: M3 T4

 Price: (reflects price at the time this post was published)

SVC Phone:  $14.99 at KMart (Senior Package) with leather case, car charger, and hands-free headset

Doro PhoneEasy 410: $25.00 after instant rebate, applied at time of purchase.

Cell Phone Plans:

Tracfone SVC:

Doro PhoneEasy 410:

This comparison clearly show that both of this handsets can fit the needs of seniors. The handsets are pretty similar with both offering flip phone designs, simple features, easy navigation, and cheap pre-paid plans. 

We hope that this comparison can help you pick a phone for your needs. 

Stay tuned for more comparisons of cell phones for seniors and other similar topics.

Clarity to Offer the PAL Amplified Mobile Phone for Seniors Soon?

Here's an exciting update that I discovered while exploring some websites that offer devices for senior citizens. I was exploring the Clarity website when I saw an intriguing image. Here it is:

Well, it's clear an ad for an upcoming amplified mobile phone. The image indicates that it will be called the Clarity Pal. I searched the websites press releases for an official announcement for this handset but I found none. I also searched the web and found nothing helpful.

I think it's safe to say that this upcoming cell phone for the elderly will hit the market this year. By the look's of it, it appears to be a worthy successor to the company's LifePhone. But then again, it might not even be a replacement. Perhaps the company plans to offer the Clarity Pal alongside the Clarity C900. That's not a bad plan since it would provide consumers with more options.

The picture indicates that the Clarity Pal will be a device that caters to the need of seniors. It's an amplified phone so it can work for users with hearing problems. The display also shows large fonts so it will also fit the needs of seniors with weak vision. It also appears to have large buttons so dialing is not a problem.

These elements indicate that the Clarity Pal will be a solid option for seniors. Hopefully, an announcement will be released soon so that we will have an idea of its price, features, and specs.

What do you think of this phone? Can it compete with other mobile phones for seniors? Stay tuned for more updates on this device and other phones for the elderly.

Senior Cell Phone Comparison: Jitterbug J VS Just5 J509

I recently thought of a new format for our blogposts. We have already feature a lot of cell phones for seniors so I have to admit that finding new devices to feature is getting more challenging. So I  thought that it would be interesting to make use of our old features and make comparisons.

I notice that many tech sites are comparison two or more phones against one another. This kinds of articles are often called phone battles, dogfights, or battle royals. So I thought this format would also work for our viewers since its interesting and helpful.

However, I will refrain from making a conclusion as to the winner of the comparison at the end of the post. You, our readers, will be the one's to decide the winner.

OK, enough with the intro and on with the battle. For this post we will compare the Just5 J509 and the Jitterbug J senior cell phones. These handsets are on the forefront of the market for cell phones for the elderly. So let's begin with a comparison of the physical design:

Jitterbug J Vs Just J509

Overall Physical Design: The Jitterbug J is a flip phone while the Just 5 is a bar-style device. Here are some images for comparison.

front:

 

 back:

 

These images should give you an idea on how these devices look like and compare in terms of physical design. The Jitterbug J is available in graphite and red, while the Just5 can be purchased in black, red, white, orange, and gray.

Display/Color Screen: The Jitterbug J comes with dual displays. The internal screen measures 2.1 inches while the external display comes in at 1.1 inch. On the other hand, the Just5 has a monochrome LCD display.

Keypad/Buttons: This is a crucial feature for a cell phone for the elderly because seniors may have weak vision,. User-friendly keypads with large buttons that raised from the surface and separated from one another is ideal. Here are the images for the keypads on these handsets:

Emergency Button: Both of these handsets come with an emergency response system. The Just5 has a large dedicated button to automatically call emergency contacts and the Jitterbug J users can dial “0” anytime to reach a U.S. based, 24-hour operator.

Price: (reflects price at the time this post was published)

Jitterbug J:  $99.00

 Just5 J509: $89.99

Plans:

 

Now before we end this post let me highlight other points that were not directly addressed above. GreatCall, Jitterbug's manufacturer offers apps and services for seniors. We have covered some of them in this blog such as the LiveNurse and Medication Reminder.

OK. So what do you think of our first mobile phone for seniors comparison posts? Do you want more of these? We have plenty of SVC fans among our commenters so I'm sure they want to have their handset featured in an article like this.

Stay tuned for more posts on comparisons, featured phones, plans and other topics connected to senior mobile phone users.