New Cell phone for Seniors: Samsung Gusto 2 From Verizon Wireless

It's been some time since we posted a senior-friendly phone from Verizon Wireless so I think it's time to feature a handset from the carrier's line-up. After all, it's the largest US carrier with a significant number of elderly subscribers and offers one of the best cell phone plans for seniors.

This time we will look at the Samsung Gusto 2, a new phone that is set to become available for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. This handset is also available with online retailers who may offer a more favorable price for seniors and other consumers.

This is not the first Gusto we have featured in this blog. The original Samsung Gusto was also featured here as a possible option for seniors.

The Gusto 2 is a sleek clam shell style cell phone with simple features. In fact, simplicity is being marketed as one of the strengths of this phone. Verizon's official press release for the device calls it as a device where "Simplicity Meets Style." Well, style is not a priority for a cell phone for senior citizens but simplicity certainly is one of the most important attributes. The elderly do not need a phone that can send emails or work as a 3G hotspot. They need a handset that can reliably make and receive calls or send a few text messages.Well, the Samsung Gusto 2 is a good device for consumers that only want to focus on making calls to friends and family. it's a basic device with a simple menu that can easily allow users to dial numbers.

Speaking of dialing numbers, this cell phone sports a contoured keypad with large buttons that make it easy to press numbers. The directional keys can be customized to provide quick access to contacts plus the one-touch shortcut keys can be programmed to quickly get in touch with emergency contacts.

It also offers a Sound Alert Mode, which changes the volume automatically to high and reads contact information aloud when a call or message is received. This features id useful for senior users with weak hearing.

A few images:

Here's a list of the features that contribute in making this phone suitable for seniors:

• 2-inch main display
• speakerphone
• adjustable display font
• voice-enabled menu and submenus

This phone also offers a few bonus features which are not really needed by seniors but are nice t have on your phone. It provides Bluetooth technology, 1.3-megapixel camera, mobile Web, and VZ Navigator.

What do you think of this device? Is it good enough to top the best cell phones for seniors in the market?

The LG Revere Prepaid Phone from Verizon Wireless

Let's begin this week by looking at an affordable prepaid phone from Verizon Wireless. The LG Revere was recently launched and comes with a few modern features such as A-GPS, mobile email, and the ability to upload pictures to Facebook. However, this simple cell phone can also be a good phone for senior citizens.

Why should seniors consider a phone like the LG Revere from Verizon Wireless? Well, it's an affordable handset. It's offered for free with a prepaid plan or a two-year contract. Free is always a good thing when it comes to senior consumers. Many retired folks no longer have a steady source of income so a free mobile phone is a welcome offer.

But its affordable price tag is not the only thing that makes the Revere a good mobile phone for the elderly. This phone also delivers well when it comes to performance. A good phone for seniors should be able to make or take phones call and this handset did not disappoint. The handset's call quality was impressive and we did not observe any distortion or crackling on our calls.

Now let's look at the phone's design. Is the body of this handset senior-friendly? Well, let's look at the main display first. It's important that this feature is not small since many seniors suffer from weak vision. The LG Revere sports a main display that measures 2 inches diagonally. The size isn't remarkable but it offers 262,000-color support and a 176x220-pixel resolution allowing it to provide bright and colorful graphics.

The keypad and navigation buttons of this handset are also suited for beginners and seniors. It won't take long for users to get used to navigating the device. There is plenty of room underneath the display for the navigation buttons and keypad so users won't find the phone cramped. The large buttons on the keypad are a bit flat but separation between each one allows users to text and dial by feel.

That's it for this feature. Visit us regularly to get your dose of mobile phones for seniors and related topics.

The Rugged Samsung Convoy 2 from Verizon Wireless

Let's look at another rugged mobile phone that might be suitable to the needs of senior citizens. The Samsung Convoy 2 is the latest durable phone for the Verizon Wireless network. Can this handset be a good phone for the elderly?

Before let's answer that question let me first discuss why a rugged handset can be a good cell phone for folks who are 65 and older. Well, most senior citizens do not have a steady income since they are most likely retired from work. Therefore, a durable device that can with stand bumps, falls, and the test of time can fit the needs of the elderly. A rugged device can eliminate the need to spend money to buy a need cell phone, purchase a replacement, or pay for repairs.

There's no doubt that the Samsung Convoy 2 is built to be durable. It's thick body is capable of surviving dust, humidity, temperature, altitude, and a bunch of other elements. It's thickness also makes it easier to grasp especially for seniors whose fingers are no longer as strong as they used to be.

This possible cell phone for seniors sports a 2.2-inch internal QVGA display (320x240 pixels) with support for 262,000 colors. The sharpness and vibrancy of this display makes it easy for users to view the info on the screen.

The Samsung Convoy 2 also features a simple menu that makes it very easy for users to navigate the handset's features. It also helps that the handset's roomy navigation area and dial pad are user-friendly. The fully separated keys are large with ridged edges and rise above the surface. The design of this buttons allows users to easily dial by feel.

Now let's talk about the drawbacks of this handset as a mobile phone for senior citizens. The Samsung Convoy 2 is a rugged phone with mid-range features that comes with a price of $79.99 with a 2 year contract from Verizon Wireless. it's a brand new device so its price may come down in a few months or so. However, it still more expensive than most of the available handsets for the elderly.

That's it for our look at the Samsung Convoy 2 from Verizon Wireless. here are a couple more images for this cell phone.

Stay tuned as we cover more cell phones that can help senior cell phone users.

The Samsung Gusto from Verizon Wireless

I dropped by the Verizon Wireless website to check out the new DROID 3. I also looked at other phones in their roster to see if there are a few phones that can cater to the needs of seniors. I've found that we have already featured a few Verizon Wireless cell phones in this blog. I also discovered another handset that might suit the needs of the elderly. Let's examine the Samsung Gusto and see if it's a good cell phones for seniors.

The Samsung Gusto is a very simple phone with a very senior-friendly price. At the time this post is published, Verizon is offering it for free with a two-year contract. Senior consumers need affordable handset because they do not have a steady source of income.

Let's move on to the design. The Gusto is pretty simple. It's a flip phone with metallic-gray-and-black accents. The body is made up of plastic. Not exactly high-end but it's a free phone so it's understandable.

It sports a 2-inch display that supports 262,000 colors and a 128x160-pixel resolution. It's a solid display for its price but the font is not adjustable. Fortunately, the backlight on the display and the alphanumeric keypad can be adjusted. The phone also offered a user-friendly interface which highlights menu options as the user scrolls up and down a vertical list.

The navigation and text entry features on this device are solid. The keypad buttons are large and slightly domed so senior users will not find it hard to enter text or dial numbers.

Here are the rest of the main features for this cell phone for seniors:

• 2.5mm headset jack
• speakerphone
• 1.3-megapixel camera
• 1.07-inch external color display
• address book with 1,000 contacts
• a calculator
• alarm clock
• text, picture, and voice messaging

That's it for this affordable mobile phone for senior citizens. Stay in touch and check out our blog regularly for more phones, plans, accessories and other related topics.

Verizon Wireless Now Offering Jitterbug Phones and Services

I have previously blogged about Verizon's cell phone plan for seniors. Now the major mobile phone carrier has snagged one of the most powerful force in the cellphone for seniors industry.

Great Call and Verizon Wireless have announced that Jitterbug phones and services will now be available in America's most reliable wireless network. This means that the popular mobile phone for seniors and plans are part of the carrier's open development program.

The Verizon Wireless open development program aims to encourage innovation, provide new wireless choices, and expand the wireless market. The addition of Jitterbug phones and services fits snugly into the goals of this program.

But the question remains, what do this mean for senior wireless users. Well, this partnership provides a lot of benefits. Here are the top three:

• Users of cell phones for seniors will now be able to gain the security and confidence of making calls on the most reliable wireless network in the US.
• Jitterbug monthly services will now offer more minutes.
• Night and weekend calling will become more affordable.

It certainly appears that Verizon is will to invests billions of dollars to extend its network reliability lead over other wireless providers. With Jitterbug phones and services now part of its line-up, the carrier now owns a major part of the thee senior market.

Verizon now has capable phones that can match up with the senior handsets on other carriers. For instance, AT&T is offering the Pantech Breeze as a cellphone for senior. However, with the Jitterbug phone and a special mobile phone plan for the elderly, Verizon Wireless has a distinct advantage.

That's it for this post on the Jitterbug phone and services on Verizon Wireless. Keep on keeping tabs on this cell phone for senior citizens blog to get the latest news and updates on handsets for the elderly.

UTStarcom's Coupe 8630: Specially Designed for Seniors

When I did some research on the web to find a good cell phone for seniors, I observed that the UTStarcom Coupe 8630 appeared quite frequently. I decided to learn more about this device and I discovered that this phone was specially designed to be used by senior citizens.

What makes this device a suitable cell phone for seniors? For starters, this mobile phone has a large keypad. This means that seniors will find it easy to press the keys and dial numbers. A small keypad will obviously cause a bit of a problem for old folks because it will be more difficult for them to locate the buttons.

The UTStarcom Coupe 8630 is also a good phone for seniors because it also has 3 large programmable emergency buttons plus a 911 button. This means that seniors can easily call for help by pressing a few buttons. There is no need to memorize any numbers and elderly persons can receive immediate aid with the help of this device.

This mobile phone for senior citizens also features a large display and a good speaker phone. The large displays means that seniors can easily read the display. Old folks normally have poor eyesight so a large display is a requirement for any cell phone for seniors. The speaker phone is also useful for seniors who are hard of hearing.

The UTStarcom Coupe 8630 weighs only 3.3 onces which makes it lighter than average mobile phones. Its relatively light weight makes it an ideal cell phone for seniors because the old folks are not advised to carry heavy objects.

Of course, the Coupe also has limitations. Many reviewers made comments that the device is very limited in terms of the wireless data system. It has no Bluetooth capability and picture messaging is absent in this phone. However, these features are not very significant when you look at the UTStarcom Coupe 8630 as a phone for your grand parents.

Overall, this device is suitable for seniors because of its user friendly qualities. The large programmable emergency buttons plus the 911 button are also great features that may prove important for seniors. If you are looking for a wireless phone for the senior memebers of you family, then the UTStarcom Coupe 8630 is one of the best options.

If you are interested top learn more about this phone then click this link. It will give you the specifications and reviews on this device. I hope this post will help you find a good senior mobile phone for your elderly loved ones.