A Smartphone for Seniors from Fujitsu is also Coming to the U.S.!

The Doro PhoneEasy 740 was introduced at MWC as a possible Android Smartphone for seniors citizens. However, this may not be the only smartphone that will be suited for elderly users.

The folks at Nikkei (translated) are reporting the Fujitsu, a Japanese phone manufacturer, plans to launch an Android phone targeting seniors in the United States and Europe. This is apparently a part of the company's plan to expand its business overseas. Well, how about that? Two smartphones for seniors running on Google Android (2.3 Gingerbread) for the US? That sounds interesting.

Let's go back to the details of this story. Fujitsu has some expertise in proving phones for the elderly. The company has offered the Raku Raku cell phone, which was intended for senior mobile phone users. These phones are similar to existing simple phones for the elderly and provide features that include big buttons, shortcut keys for emergency services, and health diagnostics utilities. This phone will apparently be added to this line but will be powered by the Android OS.

 Unfortunately, the details on this Fujitsu senior cell phone for the US are very slim. It is expected to feature a rugged exterior that is resistant to dust and water damage. This is good since durable phones a good for seniors since they do not have funds to purchase replacements for phones that break easily. It will probably sport a flip phone design and feature a nice camera.

Here are some images of Fujitsu's Raku Raku phones, which should be similar to their planned Android smartphone for the elderly.

So what do you think?Will we see more Android smartphones for senior citizens in the coming years?

Stay tuned for more updates on this device and other mobile phones for seniors.

{Via: Andronica}

Senior Citizens and Mobile Phones

A blog about mobile phones for oldies? We usually associate these devices with young people who like to have the latest gadgets, so making a blog devoted to cellphones for senior citizens may not seem sensible. Mobile phones only became very popular in the last several years so we don't usually see them in the hands of older persons.

However, I think publishing a blog about wireless phones for seniors makes sense. One reason for this is that people aged fifty or older are just as likely to have cell phones as younger people. Senior citizens also use these modern devices as a communication tool for security and emergency purposes. Of course, grandparents also rely on cell phones to keep in touch with their friends, relatives, children and grandchildren.

Some mobile phone companies and carriers have also recognized that old folks may also need these devices so they manufacture mobile phones that are designed for seniors. These cellphones usually have large keypads and displays that are suitable for senior citizens.

Let me give you an example. A Japanese mobile phone company designed the Raku-raku (easy-easy) cell phones that are suitable for seniors. These phones can slow down the caller’s voice to make it easier for older adults who are hard of hearing to converse with a caller. These phones also have a specially designed panic button that allows seniors to call for help in emergencies.

There also some mobile phone plans that cater to senior wireless customers. These mobile phone plans offer discounts and features that fit the lifestyle of older customers. However, these special mobile phone plans for old folks require proof of age before any customer can enjoy the benefits they offer.

I'll discuss the details of these devices and mobile phone plans for seniors in my next posts. I think this post will do as an introduction. I hope that this blog can provide useful information on cell phone for seniors.