New Cell Phones for Seniors: Jitterbug Plus for Great Call

The Jitterbug has been a major force in the cell phones for seniors and a new one is about to enter the fray. Samsung has revealed the next-generation Jitterbug before GreatCall has a chance to formally announced it.

It appears that the phone will be called the Jitterbug Plus or Samsung SCH-R220.

A look at the phone indicates that it will sport the traditional Jitterbug look with its clamshell design and large buttons on its keypad.

Here are a few images of this new cell phone for seniors to give you a batter look:

As you can see, its simplified design makes it ideal for the use of elderly mobile phone consumers.
The features offered by this device include a 2.2 inch color display (240x320 Pixels) inside and an external color screen that measures 1.3 inches (128x128 Pixels). This cell phone for baby boomers is also equipped with a 1.3MP camera.

Here are the rest of the features and specs for the Jitterbug Plus for Great Call:

• speakerphone
• voice dialing
• messaging
• phone book
• hearing aid compatible (HAC): MT/T4
• internal memory::1GB (EFS) + 512MB (RAM)
• battery with up to 25 days standby time and up to 3.1 hours continuous usage time
• 5-Star service
• Dimensions (inches): 3.86 x 2.01 x 0.77
• Weight (ounces): 2.86 oz.
• Frequencies and Data Type: 800/1900MHz

GreatCall has not yet announced this phone so pricing and availability are still unknown. It will be available in red and silver.

What do you think of this phone? Is it worthy of being the next Jitterbug cell phone for the elderly?

GreatCall Awarded for High degree of Customer Support

GreatCall is one of the few companies that is dedicated to serving the needs of consumers who are at the age of 65 or older. This company offers cell phones for seniors as well as other services and mobile applications that are designed for the elderly.

Recently the company received an award from Frost & Sullivan for being successful with offering High-Touch customer service for mHealth and communication. The 2011 North America Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Service Leadership is just another award the company received in the course of providing services for senior citizens.

The award recognizes the MNVO's ability to put the users directly through to a trained customer service representative. The company prides itself guaranteeing get quick, responsive, U.S.-based, English-speaking service.

The centerpiece of this company's offering is the Jitterbug phone.  This device is a leading mobile phone for seniors and we have featured it several times in this blog. This phone allows its users to contact a customer service operator for any type of assistance be it using the phone or an emergency. These operators are also well versed in the health and safety services, like 5Star Urgent Response, Medication Reminders and LiveNurse.

Here are a video that show how one of these service work:

That's it for this post. Stay tuned for more Jitterbug J news and other updates on cell phones for your grandparents.

Take Advanatage of GreatCall's Jitterbug Madness Promo!

The Jitterbug phones for seniors from GreatCall are some of the best options for the elderly. However, some folks have taken cheaper options as these handsets are on the pricey side as far as mobile phones for the elderly go. Fortunately, the company has recently launched a program that makes their handsets more accessible to senior citizens.

I got wind of this nice offer from Facebook where I have subscribed to the company's official page. Subscribing has paid off as I was able to find it about this good promo.

So what is the Jitterbug Madness Promo? Well, it's a program that reduces the online price of all the phones offered by GreatCall. And how much is the online discount? Well, you'll be pleased to know that the prices for all the company's cell phones for senior citizens have been cut half. There all offered with a 50% discount.

Here's an image of the company's line-up with their reduced prices:

This promo is active until May 26. I think it has been extend to that date since other ads showed that it was supposed to end on 3/19. I guess the company extended the offer because it was successful. Or perhaps not many consumers have taken the bait.

Nevertheless, this time period would be a great time to purchase a phone from the company if you have been planning to buy a cell phone for the elderly from GreatCall.

Getting a good mobile phone for seniors for half its price is a good deal in my opinion.

Stay tuned for more news, updates and phones for your grandparents.

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.

Videos of the Samsung SCH-r100 Senior Phone

The Samsung SCH-r100 or Stunt is one of the underrated cell phones for the elderly. It is not as well-known as the Tracfone SVC, Jitterbug J, or Just5 phone but it can also do a great job of serving the needs of seniors.

Well, the Samsung SCH-r100 is good enough to join the vaunted Jitterbug J at the Greatcall cell phone for seniors line-up. It has all the necessary attributes that make it a good phone for folks who are 65 years and older. For instance, it's cheap at just forty bucks and a powerful speakerphone. It's an easy-to-use device that also comes with 24/7 access to friendly who can provide friendly assistance.

We have already featured this phone so let's not dwell on the details. This post is dedicated to videos so we will give some videos of the Samsung SCH-r100. These clips include unboxing videos, reviews, and video tours.

Here they are! Enjoy:

We hope that those videos can help you to find out if this phone fits your needs. Stay tuned as we feature more phones and post more videos for the elderly.

GreatCall Phones, Devices, and Services for Seniors Showcased at CES 2012

Emporia showed off its new cell phones for seniors at the recent CES 2012 show. However, they did not have the monopoly of showcasing senior-friendly products at the show. Not to be outdone, GreatCall also has some exhibits at the show. Let's look at the devices that were unveiled for consumers at the recently concluded event.

GreatCall's exhibit centered around the 5Star Responder. It's not a cell phone though so I won't dwell too long on this gadget. It may not be able to make calls but the responder can be very useful for the elderly. This device provides location tracking, and one-button access to the 5-Star Urgent Response service.

This useful gadget cost $50 up front, and $15/month. It's an option for consumers who want the 5-Star service for emergencies, and not a full phone service from GreatCall.

Here's a video that previews this device:

GreatCall also took advantage of CES 2012 to show off some of its iOS apps for the iPhone. But wait. Do seniors own iPhones? Well, this Apple smartphone is one of the top notched mobile devices with all the fancy features. It's overall design is not suited for the elderly since it has no physical buttons. However, it has an easy-to-use user interface and the large and sharp screen is ideal for seniors with weak eyes.

Of course, we should underestimate the ability of seniors to handle a device like the iPhone. There are some tech-savvy folks who are at the age of 65 or older. And if they can afford this premium device then they should be allowed to enjoy the senior-friendly iOS apps from Great Call.

So what are the mobile apps for seniors that we showcased at the show? Well, we have featured some of them already and they are also available on the Jitterbug J.

There's the 5Star Urgent Response, MedCoach, and Live nurse apps. Take note though that these applications will also be available to Android phone users in the near future.

The Live Nurse app provides basic health info while the Medcoach mobile application is a great pill reminder.

So what do you think of these devices? Is it time for a new Jitterbug phone for seniors?

Bluetooth Headset for the Jitterbug Cell Phone for Seniors

I've posted a lot of cell phones for seniors over the past few weeks so I thought well feature something different for this post. I was browsing the GreatCall website and looked at the accessories for the Jitterbug phone. The Bluetooth headset accessory caught my eye so let's discuss it at this post. This accessory can help some seniors who want to communicate hands-free with their friends and family.

Upon closer investigation, I discovered that this device is the called the Samsung HM 1000. This Bluetooth headset for seniors is being offered at fifty bucks. Let's look at the features and capabilities of this device.

This accessory comes with the active pairing function and a Multifunction button that enables users to easily pair it with a compatible device. It can allow one to connect with another device within seconds. This is a good attribute as easy pairing is ideal for seniors who have no need for complicated steps and procedures.

The Samsung HM 1000 is also capable of connecting with two Bluetooth-enabled handsets. This is a good feature for those who have separate phones for work and play. A great feature but not one that is very useful for senior citizens.

This Bluetooth headset for the Jitterbug phone also comes with some easy-to-use features. And as we have discussed countless times in this blog, simple and easy-to-use devices are always suitable for the elderly users. For instance, the a dedicated power switch and easy-to-find volume button makes it easy to operate. It also comes with a battery-level indicator that informs the user of how much power is left on the batteries.

This accessory for mobile phones for seniors has a Talk Time of up to 7 hours and Standby Time of up to 400 hours.

That's it for this post on an accessory that can be useful for the elderly. Stay tuned for more post on accessories, services, plans, and cell phones for senior citizens.

The GreatCall Premium Cell phone Plan for Senior Cititzens

A premium plan for seniors? We don't usually associate a premium offering for senior users because those plans are usually expensive and offer features that are not needed by the elderly. However, the premium plan offered by the folks at GreatCall is a bit different.

The company focuses on senior consumers so its premium plan is also patterned after the needs of folks who are 65 years old and older. Let's look at the details of this cell phone plan for the elderly.

The GreatCall Premium plan costs $39.99 per month and offers 400 nationwide anytime minutes. There are plenty of cheaper plans out there but this one is suited for users who use a lot of minutes every month.

But the large number of nationwide anytime minutes per month is not the only reason that entices consumers to get this plan. It also provides some attractive features including:

• unlimited nights and weekend minutes (7pm-6am)
• carry over minutes
• no contracts
• no roaming charges
• no cancellation fees
• no data charges

It also comes with a bunch of apps that can help senior users such as the :

• PhoneBook
• Calendar
• Daily Health Tips
• The Wellness Call
• LiveNurse

So what do you think? Does this plan fit with your needs? Express yourselves in the comments.

That's it for this post on a cell phone plan for seniors. Stay tuned as we post more information on verious phones, plans, services and other senior-related topics.

Mobile Phone Plans for Seniors: GreatCall Basic 19

Let's look at another cell phone plan that's ideal for elderly users. This time it comes from the company behind the popular Jitterbug J cell phone for seniors. Great Call does not only specialise in handsets for those who are over 65 because it also offers plans, applications, services and accessories that are designed to cater to the needs of seniors all over the states.

This time let's look at the Basic 19 cell phone plan from GreatCall. This is the beefier version of the GreatCall Basic 14 rate plan that we featured last May. It costs a bit more but it also provides more in the way of minutes.

Here are the details of the GreatCall Basic 19 cell phone plan for seniors:

• 100 Anytime Nationwide Minutes for $ 19.99 per month (Monthly anytime minutes carry over and are available for 60 days)
• one time set up fee of $35
  
• Text Messaging
  
• No Contracts Required
• No Roaming Charges
• No Cancellation Fees
• No Data Charges

This plan also come with the following apps and services:

• Calendar
• PhoneBook
• Daily Health Tips

That pretty much sums it up. It's a simple plan made for the needs of seniors so it direct and basic. I like the carry over minutes feature but I do feel that the set-up cost is a bit high.

Do you think that this is a good cell phone plan for seniors?

Join us again this week as we tackle more plans, services, and cell phones for senior citizens.

5Star Personal Security Now Available at GreatCall

GreatCall, the force behind the Jitterbug cell phones for senior citizens, has launched the 5Star Personal Security Service. This service for seniors was introduced in February and is now available for GreatCall customers.

So what is the 5Star Personal Security Service? It is described as a cell phone-based mobile, personal emergency response system (mPERS). It works by proving customers with real-time access to help in any situation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The service is reportedly reliable and easy-to-use so senior users can manage it without any problem. Users simply dial the (5) and the (*) keys on the Jitterbug cell phone to be connected to a specially trained response agent. This agent is certified by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) so the person has been trained well to deal with a number of situations.

So what happens if an emergence occur? Well, a response team can dispatch 911 personnel or get users other assistance that can help them overcome unsafe situations. The service agent will arrange for appropriate assistance and will stay on the line with customers until they are safe and secure.

Now the question you might want to know about the fees associated with this service. This service for the elderly cost $14.99 per month and $8.99 for each additional family member.

If you are interested in this app for seniors, then visit the Great Call website for more details.

That's it for today's post. Stay tuned for more information on mobile phones for seniors and other related topics.

The GreatCall Basic 14 Cell phone Plan for Seniors

We have been blogging about cell phones for seniors for our past several post so I thought that it would be agood time to look at another mobile phone plan for the elderly. Let's discuss the GreatCall Basic 14, a prepaid plan from the makers of the Jitterbug cell phone for seniors.

I decided to feature this plan because it's the most affordable among GreatCall's line-up. Price is an important factor in choosing a plan for the elderly because most of them do not have a steady source of income. However, the plan also needs to satisfy their needs along with its cheap price.

The GreatCall Basic 14 offers a good number of features for its price. It is offered for only $14. 99 with 50 anytime nationwide minutes. This cell phone plan for senior citizens do not include a contracts and there are no roaming charges. Users will also benefit from the absence of cancellation fees and data charges.

This senior-friendly cell plan also provides a phonebook, calendar, daily health tips, and text messaging.

The monthly anytime minutes of the GreatCall Basic 14 also carry over and are available for 60 days.

That's it for this post on this cell phone plan for seniors. Stay tuned as we feature more plans, phones and related topics.

GreatCall Adds 5Star Personal Security to Senior Services

GreatCall, the company that offers the JitterBug cell phones for seniors, has announced a new service that can help the elderly.

The 5Star Personal Security Service can transform a mobile phone for seniors into a personal security device for almost any situation. This service allows subscribers to immediately connect to a certified emergency response agent. This service is on for 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

When a senior citizens calls, the emergency operator will arrange appropriate assistance, while providing real-time professional support.

Elderly users will not find it hard to use this service. The caller simply touches (5) and (*) on their Jitterbug phone to reach the emergency operator. The operator who receives the call will immediately know who the caller is, where they’re located using the latest GPS technology, and their personal profile. The 5Star Personal Security Service operator will determine the type of emergency, dispatch the appropriate assistance, or connect to 911 or family members for familiar support, while remaining on the line to ensure resolution. The operator will even place a follow-up call as the situation warrants.

This senior mobile phone service will become commercially available in February 2011 for $14.99 per month.

That's it for this cell phone services for senior citizens. Join us every week as we feature mobile phones and services for the elderly.

For Emergencies Try the Jitterbug OneTouch

A cellphone with only three buttons? In this high tech world where phones have qwerty keyboards it can be puzzling to think about a mobile phone with only three buttons. Who would want such a handset?

Well, it might surprise you that a phone with only a few buttons appeal to a certain groups of people. Seniors and disabled persons can benefit from a device that do not have a large number of buttons. The best phones for senior citizens are devices that have large buttons, a bright display, and simple features. Seniors do not require sophisticated features, they want a cell phone that is easy to operate.

The Jitterbug OneTouch is a phone that is specially designed to meet the demands of the elderly and disabled persons. this unique device is manufactured by a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) called GreatCall. This network serves elderly people who want to keep in touch with their relatives and friends.

What makes the Jitterbug OneTouch a good cell phone for seniors? Well, there are plenty of reasons. let us begin with the special buttons and keypad. Since this phone is designed for emergencies and seniors, it does not feature the traditional numerical keypad found in most mobile phones.

The Jitterbug keypad has large, backlit buttons that seniors can see without any difficulty. the buttons are easy to press, and users can choose to pre-install their contacts into the device. This mobile phone for seniors also comes with a handy operator service that guides the elderly through the calling process.

This brillianly designed device also have hands free features that make it easier for disabled and the elderly to make a call. The Voice Dial feature allows users to dial contacts or numbers simply by saying the name or number aloud.

Seniors who have less than perfect hearing can benefit from the padded earpiece that keeps unwanted noise out and provides comfort for the elderly who wear a hearing aids. The Jitterbug's volume can be adjusted from low to super-high depending on the hearing capacity of the user. The volume can also be adjusted while the user is are on a call to make conversations go smoothly.

Since no device is perfect, the Jitterbug OneTouch also have some limitations. For instance, Seniors who are looking for more flexibility might find it too limited. The volume rocker could have also been placed in a less awkward position. Some seniors might also find it too bulky and difficult to carry around.

The Jitterbug is a good option if you are interested in cell phones for seniors. It is specially designed for them and has features that makes it valuable in emergencies. It's a simple device that ideal for the elderly and disabled users.