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?

Accessories for the Just5 Cell Phone for Senior Citizens

Hello everyone. I have been checking out the different websites that sell mobile phones for the elderly to check if there are new handsets, plans, or service for the elderly. I explored Just 5's US website and found that they have new accessories for their handset for grandparents.

The website previously just offered a SIM card on their accessories page but the site has finally decided to expand their offerings and provide more products.

Let me provide some of the new accessories for the Just5 cell phone that are available for seniors.

First we have a wall charger that allows users to charge up their phones by plugging it into a power outlet. I thin it's a very useful accessory as we need power to use our phones (duh!). However, the charger that comes in the box with our phone are often the first gadgets to stop working or get lost so having the option a buying a new one for your handset is good. If you need this device then you can get it for $9.99.

Next we have another type of charger for the Just 5 mobile phone for baby boomers. This one is ideal for the elders who are often on the go. It allows one to get power for your cell phone even if you do not have easy access to a power outlet. One simply need to plug into the power adaptor in your car and you can rely on it keep your phone charged on the way to seeing your children or grand kids. This accessory is available for $9.99.

Then there's the lanyard for folks who want to keep their phones close without having it in your hands. This accessory allows users to hang their phones around their neck so they are free to use their hands while having a phone at a convenient location. This accessory is also a great tool for users who often find themselves forgetting where they have placed their phones. This product is available for $7.99.

These are just a few of new accessories for the Just5 phone. Check out the handset's website if you want to check out more of these devices.

If you are unfamiliar with the Just 5, then you should know that it is one of the best options for consumers whoa re looking for a cell phone that is fit for the needs of the elderly. here's a video that will help you to get to know this phone:

Stay tuned as we feature more accessories, plans, and cell phones for senior citizens.

Samsung S125G: A new Tracfone Cell Phone for Seniors?

Tracfone is one of the best prepaid for senior citizens. It offers the Senior Value Cell Phone, which is one of the best handsets for the elderly (I'm sure SVC fans who frequently comment in this blog will agree). However, the SVC phone is not the only device that is suited for seniors among Tracfone's line-up. Here's an upcoming device that may also be ideal for the need of baby boomers.

This device was revealed by Samsung as headed for Tracfone's line of prepaid phone. That means that the pricing and availability of this phone have not been disclosed but I'm sure that it will be a cheap cell phone. The Samsung S125G is a bar style design that is design to "make your life easy". Let's go over the features of this mobile phone for grandparents.

Here are the highlights of this cell phone for seniors as touted by its page at Samsung's official website:

• Easy-to-use interface makes dialing, texting and navigating easy-to-do
• Keeps you connected to family and friends
• Shortcut keys help to navigate and adjust settings in a snap
• Easily manage calls with call waiting, Caller ID and alerts

A closer look at the features and specs for this phone reveals the elements that make this a goo phone for
the elderly. Here are the senior-friendly features of the Samsung S125G:

• 1.52 inch color display with 128 x 128 pixels (a bit small and should be 2 inches or larger)
• built-in speakerphone that let users talk hands-free
• 1000mAh Lithium Ion battery with 12.5 days standby and 6 hours usage
• Voicemail and TTY

 The specs sheet does not indicate the hearing-aid compatibility of the phone but perhaps that is due to this being a new device that has not been launched yet. The details on the site might be incomplete.

And here are some images to help you see how this phone can be a great device for senior citizens:

What do you thin of this phone? Is it worthy to be in the hands of an elderly consumer?

Verizon Wireless Cell Phones for Seniors in the First Half of 2012

Verizon Wireless offers a very impressive line-up that includes the most popular and powerful smartphones in the US. However, this carrier also offer simple and affordable cell phones that are suitable for elderly users. These devices are designed to be cheap and easy-to-use for consumers who only want the basic features on their phones.

Now, carriers change their line-ups regularly to add new phones and retire handsets that need to be replaced to make way for new handsets. Currently, Verizon Wireless offers a few cell phones that we consider to be fit for senior citizens. We have featured them in our blog but we want to present an updated list of senior-friendly phones that are currently available on Verizon's line-up.

Here are the mobile phones for seniors that Verizon Wireless classify under "Basic Phones":

• Samsung Gusto 2: $79.99 
• LG Revere: $79.99 
• Samsung Convoy 2:   $119.99
• LG Cosmos 2: Free
• Motorola Barrage: Free (temporarily out of stock)

The prices for these phones are the current offers as this article was published. There are more phones in Verizon's Basic Phones line-up but they are meant for messaging and entertainment.

The phones listed above are linked to our featured blogpost where we take a closer look at the features and attributes that make them ideal for seniors.

Verizon Wireless already offers a senior-friendly cell phone plan (65Plus), which would work well when paired with any of these devices.

So what do you think about the list? Should Verizon offer more simple phones in its line-up? Should it offer the phones at a cheaper price?

US Cellular Phone for Seniors: Samsung Chrono 2

We looked at the Samsung Chrono from Cricket and US Cellular about a year ago. Well, I'm happy to report to readers who like the phone that an improved version of the handset has already been available from sometime and it comes with a nice price.

US Cellular is currently offering the Samsung Chrono 2 for free for new activations and 0.01 after Instant Rebate for current customers who are eligible to upgrade.

So is this device a good cell phone for senior citizens? Is it as simple and easy-to-use as the original Chrono from Samsung? Let's go over the details of this phone to find out.

Like its, predecessor, the Chrono 2 sports a clamshell design that is slim and sleek. We would have wanted it to be sturdier as a device for the elderly but thin phones are the trend nowadays. It sports a 2.2 inch QVGA TFT display which is a bit bigger the the original Chrono which sported a 2 inch main screen.It also has a smaller 1.3 inch displays which shows relevant information without the need to open the phone.

This phone sports a nice keypad with large numbers printed on the buttons. The keys are separated with one another and raised slightly above the surface so dialing can be done without any difficulty.  The
four-way navigational keypad and softkeys also allows users to quickly access phone features.

The  Samsung Chrono 2 also offers a  Hearing Aid Compatibility rating of M4/T4 making it ideal for folks who are hard of hearing. The 1000mAh Lithium Ion can keep the phone going for up to 25 day on standby so it has decent lasting power.

Here are some images of this mobile phone for seniors:

And here are the bonus features you get with this phone(nice but not priorities for seniors):

• 1.3 MP Camera
• Social Networking and E-Mail Capabilities
• Integrated Web Browser
• Bluetooth 2.1 
• Multiple Messaging Options w/Predictive Text
• GPS

 That's it for this quick look of a cheap cell phone for seniors. Stay with us every week for new device features and other related topics.

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?

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.

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.

Unpacking the Just5 Cell phone for Seniors

I went over to browse the Just5 website and stumbled upon the packaging section. I thought it would talk about the eco-friendly packaging or the contents of the box for this senior phone. However, I quickly discovered that the section was meant to warn customers about purchasing knock-offs or fake handsets.

I can fully understand why Just5 wanted to educate consumers about buying the real thing. After all, fake handsets can damage their brand and the reputation of their products. Buying the real Just5 cell phone for seniors will ensure quality and support from the company's customer support.

Here are the images of the Just5 packing to help educate consumers on what to look for when buying one from a dealer:

I did more research and found an online video of the unboxing for this phone. Check it out to see what is inside this phone's box:

Hopefully, this video will help you to purchase the real thing. And perhaps it also gave you an idea on what the phone is about.

The Just5 J509 is one of the best handsets for the elderly. It combines ease of operation, large buttons, amplified sound and an emergency button. It is currently offered for $89.99, You can also check out our post on Just5 videos to know more about this device.

That's it for this post. Check us ut every week for more news, and features on the best mobile phones for seniors.

The Cheap and Simple Kyocera k126c from TracFone

Seniors love simple phones because they can cater to all their needs at a low price. Phones like the Kyocera k126c from TracFone can solve the problems of users who simply wants to make a call. Some fancy phones may cost more because it forces one to pay extra for features you may not use. A basic and affordable phone like the k126c will not put a dent on your budget and provide for all you calling needs at the same time.

Let's take a closer look at this cell phone for seniors.

The Kyocera k126c is available at Tracfone, a carrier that specializes in prepaid devices. This types of cell phones are great for the elderly because of their low cost, and basic features. Since, I've mention that this handset is affordable, let us first discuss its price. This phone is currently available for around fifteen bucks. That's the full price so there are no annoying contracts and other fees involved.

This phone sports a basic bar style design with a LCD color display. It's a bit small but the fonts can be adjusted to fit your vision. It also offers a simple navigational system and a simple menu that allows users to make calls quickly. The keypad is also good because the buttons are speared from one another. They also have good size and are raised from the surface of the phone.

This phone also offers some useful features such as Text messaging, hands-free speakerphone, and a hearing aid compatible (HAC) rating M3.

If you wish to purchase the Kyocera k126c, then you should know that Verizon, US Cellular and Alltel networks.

I was unable to find videos for this phone so I'll just post a large picture to help you get a closer look:

Visit us every week for more mobile phones for the elderly and related topics.

Cheap Senior Phones: Motorola i412 from Boost Mobile

We have not posted a lot of senior phones from Boost Mobile but no one can deny that this prepaid carrier has offered a number of simple phones that can help the elderly. Let's look at one of the affordable phones from this carrier and look at the factors that make it a good device for senior citizens.

The Motorola i412, like most prepaid handsets, is suited for users who want an affordable device with all the basic features. Well, this Boost Mobile phone answers that description. It sports an unremarkable flip phone design with a rectangular look.

The i412 offers an external display that shows useful information without forcing the user to flip it open. The tiny monochrome display shows the battery life, signal strength, plus the date and time. Open the phone and you will see the bigger internal display which measures 1.79-inches. It's a bit small when compared with other elderly friendly mobile phones but there are limits when we talk about cheap devices. The display offers a resolution of 128x160 pixels and 64,000 colors. Users with weak eyesight can adjust the text size to suit their vision.

This handset is easy-to-use and is no challenge even for your grandparents. This phone comes with a basic navigation array with two soft keys, a round toggle, a menu key, and a camera button. The number keypad is also user-friendly because it provides plenty of room and separated buttons, which are raised above the surface.


The i412 is marketed as a "Walkie-Talkie Push to Talk Phone". That means that users can use it like a Walkie-Talkie and allows users to numbers and assign PTT groups.

Now let's talk about how this phone performs. The call quality for this phone is good and users generally heard conversations clearly. The speakerphone calls also had good volume and clarity. This handset has a camera but the VGA-quality results are not impressive.

Here are a video of this phone to help you see how it handles in the wild:

So do you agree that the Motorola i412 from Boost Mobile can be suited for the needs of seniors? This phone is available for a prepaid price of $69.99 and is available with the carrier's monthly unlimited, daily unlimited and pay as you go plans.

That's it for this phone. Stay tuned as we look into more cell phones for seniors and similar topics.

Simple Phones for the Ederly: AT&T Z221 GoPhone

Let focus on a simple cell phone on the second post for 2012. This time we will look at another basic mobile phone from AT&T's prepaid phones line-up.

The GoPhone portfolio has been a steady source senior-friendly mobile phones. But that's not surprising since the line-up is made up of prepaid phones with simple features. You wont find any fancy expensive smartphones in this group. For this post we will look at the AT&T Z221 GoPhone, a handset that is made by ZTE. We will look at the features that make it a suitable device for seniors.

Let's begin with the design. One look at this handset will tell you that is a basic clamshell phone. There are no part that slide from beneath its body. You simply open it up tp to make calls or send messages. Here are some images that provide views to the different angles of its body. Take a good look.

It's easy to see how this device fits the needs of seniors. It's uncomplicated, direct to the point, and easy-to-use.

Let's break down the details for its design. The outer display is small but it shows important information such as the time, battery, and signal strength without the need of opening the handset. The internal QVGA display measures 2 inches with 320x240 pixels and is pretty much standard for a cell phone for seniors.

The keyboard comes with large buttons but they are a bit flushed. They are separated but not as much as we would like. The numbers are large so folks would have no problem with dialing numbers. Dialing by feel though is not very easy.

Now what are the senior friendly features offered by the AT&T Z221 GoPhone? Well, it's a hearing aid compatible (M3/T4) phone, which makes it usable for seniors with hearing difficulties. This phone also comes with the carrier's pay-as-you-go service so users will not need to worry about contracts, credit checks, or deposits. It's a flexible plan that is cheap.

But this phone actually comes with some decent features despite being such a simple mobile device. For instance, it offers a basic camera that can record video. It also ships with Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1), 3G, e-mail, and access to social networking sites. Now, these are not essential features for seniors but its nice to have them on your affordable phone.

The AT&T Z221 GoPhone is being offered for $39.99 without a contract so it's within reach of senior users.

That's it for this cello phone for senior citizens. Stay tuned as we feature more phones every week.

Videos of the Doro PhoneEasy 410 from Consumer Cellular

The first post of the year for our senior phone blog will continue a series of video related content. We have previously posted some videos of cell phones for seniors so I feel we should continue that trend again.

We will still post the basic stuff on new handsets for seniors that we uncover but posting videos might also be good for our visitors who wish toi see the phones in action. I feel that videos do a good job of showing the functions and the good things about these mobile phones for the elderly.

This time we will look at the Doro PhoneEasy 410 from Consumer Cellular, one of the best senior-friendly phones for the market. This phone is a big-button phone with a simple clam shell design. It comes with a cheap price of $ 25 and sports a large screen for users with poor vision. It also comes with an emergency feature that immediately alerts family and friends.

But enough with this descriptions. You can get an in-depth view with our look at the PhoneEasy 410. This post is dedicated to video clips so here they are:

I posted some tutorial videos and a few that provides reviews on the phone. These clips should be enough to give you a glimpse on this mobile phone for seniors.

Stay tuned as we feature more videos and previews of the best phones for the elderly and related topics.

Just5 Cell Phone for The Elderly Tutorial Videos

I have written a lot of blog post for the last few years in an effort to contribute to seniors mobile phone users. In this endeavour, I most often rely on words to convey and share information on mobile phone for seniors. However, I realize that videos can also be a good tool for this blog.

Videos are not being used in the internet as a form of expression or advertisements. But videos can also be used for education and this post will illustrate this point. For this post, I will feature a couple of videos that provide information on the Just5 mobile phone for seniors.

This handset is just on e of the many options available for the elderly on today's mobile phone market. It's a device that integrates "ease of operation, big buttons, amplified sound, a long-lasting battery for reliability, and an emergency SOS button" into its design. Here are a couple of videos that feature this phone for the elderly.

Just5 easy phone introduction video:

This clip highlights the best features of this phone including the emergency response system or SOS button, the large buttons, large display fonts, speaking keypad, simple menu, built-in flashlight, and FM radio.

How to use the Just5 Easy cell phone:

This video provides a quick tour of the simple functions of the phone including unlocking the handset, enabling the flash light, adjusting the volume, using the SOS button, making a call, saving contacts, and digital dial readout.

Here are a few pictures of the Just5 handset in case you want a closer look as its senior-friendly design:

That's it for these tutorial videos of a mobile phone for seniors. If you want more videos, then don't worry. We will be posting how to videos and tutorial clips of other cell phones for those who ware 65 years or older.

The Cheap Doro PhoneEasy 410 from Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is one of the carriers that offers a special program for senior citizens. This company has allotted phones and deals that specifically target the needs of the elderly. This Consumer Cellular phone for seniors was introduced two years ago and still remains as one of the best options for folks who are 65 years or older. Let's look at the simple and easy-to-use Doro PhoneEasy 410.

Sine the PhoneEasy 410 is a phone that is being offered to seniors it comes with a price that is friendly with most budgets. Consumers can get this phone for $25.00 after instant rebate plus a $35.00 activation fee. This offer does not come with a contract so it provides flexibility and allows consumers to avoid irritating fees and credit checks.

Now, let's look at the features that makes the Doro PhoneEasy 410 a good mobile phone for senior citizens. Let's start with the design.

The handset sports a flip design with an easy-to-read color display with large text so its suitable for users with weak eyesight. It measures 2-inches with 176x220-pixel support. You can't alter the size of the font but there's really no need to since it's large enough even for users who are partially sighted.

The keypad for this phone is also designed for seniors. The spacious keypad comes with soft-touch buttons with rubbery feel. One will find it easy to dial by feel because the number keypad some large digits, and the keys are raised above the surface.

There are other senior friendly qualities that combine well with the phone's practical design. For instance, there is plenty of volume and very little static or background noise when making calls so it scores high marks for performance. It's also it’s Hearing Aid Compatible (T3/M3) so it's a good choice for seniors who are hard of hearing.

The phone also comes with an emergency feature that allows the users to quickly alert friends or family members in case of any unfortunate eventualities. I feel that this feature should be on every cell phone for senior citizens.

That's it for this post. Stay with us every week for more mobile phones for the elderly and other related topics.

Should the Latest Hearing Aid Standards be Put in Cell Phones?

A great number of seniors are using hearing aids so I felt this issue is worthy of being posted in this blog on cell phones for the elderly. Recently, the Federal Communications Commission proposed that the latest hearing aid standards should be included in mobile phones as soon as possible.

Do you agree with this proposal? Before you answer that, let's take a closer look at this proposal.

The FCC wants cell phones to have the latest standards developed by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) for hearing-aid compatibility (HAC).

The handset's with hearing-aid compatibility that are currently in the market use a standard that was developed in 2007. This standard is compatible with devices in the 800MHz to 950MHz, and 1.6GHz to 2.5GHz spectrum bands. However, this year's proposal wants to include the 700MHz band. Other frequencies that are used in modern phones to support 4G and other wireless technologies are also included in the proposal.

Apparently, the new hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) standards is designed to ensure that consumers will not experience undue radio frequency interference with devices such as hearing aids.

The commission also plans to only grant HAC certification to cell phones that meet the 2011 standard. The FCC also estimates that handset will meet the new standards within one year from the rules being published in the Federal Register.

So what do you think? Well, many senior citizens need phones with hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) so I agree with this proposal. updating the standard to the latest version will only improve cell phones for seniors who are hard of hearing.

That's it for this post. Stay tuned as we look at issues that are related to cell phones for senior citizens. Expect more posts every week from this friendly mobile phones for the elderly blog.

Nokia 3711: Simple but Suitable for the Elderly

Nokia does not have a large presence in the US despite being the largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. However, most of the Nokia phones that have debuted in the US are basic devices that are ideal for senior citizens. For instance, the Nokia 3711 can be considered as a basic phone by todays standards but the simplicity in its form and function makes it a suitable device for seniors. Let's go over the details of this mobile phone for the elderly.

Let's start with performance. After all, seniors purchase cell phones as a convenient tool for communicating with friends and family. It's a portable device that allows them to make calls on the go. Well, the 3711 is a solid tool for communication. The quality is good and the callers sound natural. There was little evidence of any static or interference plus calls via speakerphone or a Bluetooth headset are also lud and clear.

Now let's proceed with the display. The Nokia 3711 comes with a bright display. It measures 2.2 inches, which is a bit bigger then most basic cell phones. Size is a factor when chosing cell phones for seniors because weak eyes often come with old age. The display also supports 16.7 million colors and a 320x240-pixel resolution. This combination results in a brilliant display with great colors and graphics.

Let's continue with the keypad. This phone has flushed keys but a few factors can redeem it as a user-friendly phone. The keypad has good size so there's plenty of space for dialling and your fingers. The numbers on the buttons are also large so dialing is not difficult even thought the keys are flushed.

The Nokia 3711 comes with the Series 40 menu interface that is relatively easy-to-use. Even seniors who have never used a cell phone before can easily learn the basic functions such as making a call or sending text messages.

That's it for this feature on the Nokia 3711. As always, stay tuned for more weekly posts on cell phones for seniors and related topics on this blog.

Wireless CapTel an Application for Mobile Phone users who are Hard of Hearing

A number of senior citizens suffer from some sort of hearing loss due to a variety of factors including, illness and old age. Some estimates show that nearly half of the seniors in the U.S. suffer from some form of hearing loss. Fortunately, mobile phone technology has provided solutions for users who suffer from hearing loss such as extra loud ringers and hearing aid compatibility.

Well, here's a new service that aims to serve seniors and folks who are hard of hearing. Sprint recently introduced the Wireless CapTel, an application that is designed to help seniors and others who are hard of hearing to more easily interact with their family/friends through their phone. Let's take a close look at this service for senior citizens.

So how does it work? Well, the application routes all calls placed to/made from the through a captioning service. Then, the service transcribes the conversation into text and displays it on the phone's screen where it can be read. Obviously, a phone with a large screen is suitable for this app. Adjustable font sizes and brightness also fit the bill.

So is there a downside to this service? Well, the Wireless CapTel service from Sprint is only is compatible with devices running Android 2.2 Froyo and up. Seniors do not usually carry Android smartphones around and the service won't work with the Jitterbug or any basic cell phone. One cn get it from the Android Market for free with an Everything Data plan

But there is hope. Manufacturers and carriers have released cheap Android phones that are designed for new users. Some of these device are simple and easy-touse. Also we should not under-estimate the ability of seniors to muse and operate a smartphone.

So what do you think? Is the Wireless CapTel service suitable to the needs a of senior citizens? Share you feelings in the comments.

That's it for this service for the elderly. Stay tuned as we look at plans, and cell phones for seniors every week.

The Inexpensive Samsung Contour SCH-R250

MetroPCS has a good collection of cheap and simple phones that can be of service to seniors. The Samsung Contour SCH-R250 is a good example of a good handset from this prepaid carrier. Let's look at this phone and see how it can fit the need and budgets of elderly users.

The Samsung Contour can fit the needs of senior citizens and those with a limited budget. This phone was offered for fifty bucks without a contract when it was launched. An affordable price is pretty much a requirement for seniors because many of them do not have a stable income that can pay for expensive phones, plans, and services.

However, the Contour is much more than just your ordinary cheap phone. It also offers some features that can match the specific needs of senior users. Let's look at the senior-friendly features of this mobile phone.

The menu for this phone is basic and easy to navigate. A user will be faced with a soft-key controls and an icon-based menu to quickly access the needed applications be it to make a call or send a message.

The Contour's main display measures 2-inches with 128x160-pixel resolution and 262,000 colors. It's good enough for its cheap price and users can adjust the dialing font size and brightness to suit their sight.

This handset also comes with an easy-to-use keypad. The large buttons are lighted well, separated and raised above the surface so they can easily be used by those with weak eyesight. The buttons are also made from a rubbery substance that makes them easy to press.

Senior users will not be disappointed when using the Samsung Contour to call friends and loved ones. The call quality is solid, the sound was clear, and the calls we made were never interrupted. We observed only minimal white background noise.

That's it for this MetroPCS phone for seniors. Stay with us every week for more features on cell phones for seniors as well as plans and services for the elderly.