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.

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.

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.

The Samsung SGH-A167 Pay-As-You-Go Phone for Senior Citizens

We've already discussed why prepaid phones are suitable for seniors so I guess its clear that the Samsung SGH-A167 can be a good buy for the elderly. This handset was offered as a pay-as-you-go phone for AT&T. But being a prepaid phone is not the only factor that makes this handset a good mobile phone for seniors. Let's take a closer look at the SGH-A167 and see why it can be a suitable product for folks who are 65 years of age and older.

The Samsung SGH-A167 is a simple phone, which makes it a good fit for the needs of the elderly in more ways than one. First, since it's a basic device, a user do not need to pay a large amount to own the phone. It doesn't come with high-end features that drive up the price so seniors with a tight budget can afford it.

Since this phone is a simple device, there are complicated features that can confused seniors who are not familiar with the latest technology. A simple device is easy-to-learn so the elderly can learn how to use the device for making calls within minutes.

This cell phone for seniors also features a design that fits with the needs of elderly users. For instance, it offers a main display with adjustable dialing font size and backlighting time. If a user feels that the menu fonts are too small then the size can be altered. The menu font color and style can also be changed according to the need of a senior user.

The senior-friendly features of this phone also extend to its navigation array and keypad. Users will find plenty of space for these buttons on this phone. However, they are a bit flush so getting use to them may take some time.
The Samsung SGH-A167 is a reliable device for users who want to use it mainly for making calls. The voices on calls sounded natural and we did not observe any interference. The speakerphone also functioned well but users should not set it at the highest levels because that tends to distort the sounds.

This cell phone for seniors also provide the following key features:

• VGA camera
• battery life of three hours talk time and 10.5 days standby time
• 4MB of user accessible memory
• 200-contact phone book
• 10 polyphonic ringtones
• vibrate mode, an alarm clock, and a calculator,
• instant messaging and POP3 e-mail
• WAP browser

That's it for this week's post. Stay tuned for more cell phones, services and plans for seniors.

Nokia 5130 XpressMusic: A simple Music Phone for the Elderly

Cell phones have come a long way since they became affordable for the masses several years ago. Nowadays, even the basic phones can act as music players! Now. senior citizens do not need fancy phones with surround sound or Audio Beats. However, some affordable and simple phones come with decent music players that can entertain some senior users.

The Nokia 5130 XpressMusic is a good example of a mobile phone that can be used by seniors both as a phone and a music player. Let's look closer at his device and see how it can be a good purchase for music-loving elderly users.

The 5130 XpressMusic is a simple phone that was launched by T-Mobile about a couple of years ago for $29.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate and a mandatory 2-year contract. It is still available via a few retailers such as Amazon and eBay.

Now let's look at the phone's design. The display for this phone measures two-inches and supports 256,000 colors and 320x240 pixels of resolution. It's a solid display and the icons can be viewed easily. User's with weak eyesight can alter the font color and the font size to make the display more suited for their needs.

Seniors will not find it difficult to navigate this music phone. The phone's navigation array has a spacious, easy-to-use design and the soft keys and Talk and End/power controls have good size. The buttons for the keypad are also large so dialing is not difficult. However, the numbers and letters on the buttons may be a bit small for some users.

Let's proceed with the how the Nokia 5130 XpressMusic performed as a phone. Well, my experience shows that the phone can handle calls very well. I did not recall any static and interference on the calls I made. The audio also sounded natural and the speakerphone calls I tried were also solid.

But how about as a music player. Well, the 5130 XpressMusic is a cheap phone so one should not expect too much. The handset ships with the standard Nokia Xpress Music player, which offers a simple interface and controls. The music quality is not bad and I'm sure users will enjoy listening to their favorite songs on this device.

Seniors who want to enjoy a bit of music from a simple phone should look at this handset. It's cheap and easy-to-use with a decent music player.

That's it for this week's mobile phone for seniors. Stay tuned as we bring you more phones, plans, and services for the elderly.

The Simple Verizon Wireless Escapade

The Escapade was originally marketed as a dual-mode CDMA/GSM phone for Verizon Wireless subscribers who want a handset in the U.S. and abroad. However, a closer look at this device shows that it's a simple handset that can cater to the needs of the elderly.

Let's see if the Verizon Wireless Escapade is a good mobile phone for seniors as well as a solid global roaming device.

This cell phone sports a simple flip design with a glossy shell plus silver and black trim. It's not a flashy design but it feels comfortable to hold. It comes with an external display which measures 1.1-inches and supports 65,000 colors. It's not very large but it provides useful information such as date, time, battery life, caller ID, and signal strength.

The Escapade sports a larger internal display that measures 2-inches. This is a solid display because it also comes with 262,000-color support and 176x220-pixel resolution. The screen offers bright colors and sharp legible text, which are good qualities for a cell phone for citizens. Most of the elderly have weak eyes so a bright display with good size is ideal for their needs.

This phone's display also comes with adjustable font sizes for dialed numbers and menu text so seniors can manipulate them to suit their eyesight.

Unfortunately, this simple mobile phone also comes with a flat key pad. The buttons are quite flat to the surface of the phone so dialing and composing text messages are not quick and easy. Luckily, the phone has some raised lines in between each key so dialing is not too difficult for senior users.

Now let's talk about performance. After all, the elderly need cell phones to communicate with friends and family. The Verizon Wireless Escapade might be a simple phone but its call quality is quite impressive. The callers on this handset sounded loud and clear. The voice sound natural and there was minimal static or noise in the background. This mobile phone for seniors also come with a solid speakerphone.

This feature is not really a priority for seniors but I think it deserves to be mentioned since it performed better than I expected. The Escapade comes with a 2-megapixel camera that produced surprisingly good images for a phone that only cost thirty bucks with a contract. A camera is not really a requirement for senior phones but its a nice feature to get with an affordable phone. Folks who want a good cell phone for seniors with a decent camera should definitely consider this device.

That's it for this post on a senior-friendly phone that's also got dual-mode CDMA/GSM for international roaming. Bookmark this blog if you want to get information on mobile phones for the elderly.

The Easy-to-use Nokia 2320 GoPhone

You don't have to be a genius to know that a cell phone that comes with minimal features and a user-friendly design is a good fit for senior users. Well, in this post we will feature an easy-to-use cell phone that can fit the requirements of senior citizens.

The Nokia 2320 GoPhone may not look impressive but can turn out to be a gem of a device for folks who are aged 65 years and older. Even if it doesn't offer impressive features it can still function as a phone for the elderly.

Let describe some of the points that make the Nokia 2320 GoPhone a good cell phone for senior citizens.

Let's start with the design. This mobile phone sports a basic bar style design, which is pretty much as simple as you can get when it comes to mobile phones. There's no need to flip or slide. The phone is ready to use without pushing any buttons or doing any other physical actions.

The phone's body is made of plastic but that's a price to pay for an affordable handset. The design includes a 1.75-inch display that supports 65,000 colors and 160x128 pixels. It's not very impressive but it has bright colors and is visible even in daylight. The standby font color and font size are adjustable, which is a good thing for users with weak eyes such as the elderly.

The key pad is also simple with flat buttons. Fortunately, the spacious arrangement makes them easy to use. Texting quickly will result in mistakes but seniors are not prone to hurrying so it's not a big issue.

This basic, affordable phone also offers solid call quality. Users of this phone can expect voices to sound natural and strong volume. However, the Nokia 2320 GoPhone's speakerphone is a disappointment as the calls were garbled, and voices were distorted.

Overall, the 2320 is a solid mobile phone for seniors. It's user-friendly design and simple features are suitable to the needs of the elderly. AT&T is no longer selling this phone but interested consumers can get it from other online retailers such as Bestbuy and Walmart.

That's it for this post. Visit this blog often for more information on cell phones for seniors and related topics.

The Cheap Samsung T105g from Tracfone

We often feature clamshell cell phones in this blog so I figured that it would be good to feature a handset for folks who prefer a bar style phone. The Samsung T105g from Tracfone is an affordable handset so folks who want an inexpensive option should take a closer look at this phone.

Since I mentioned that the T105g is a cheap phone (check the title), I think we should discuss its price first. Tracfone is offering this phone for $9.99. It's a prepaid phone so there's no need for contracts and credit checks. It's also paired with a prepaid plan so its flexible and you only pay-as-you-go.

Ok now let's look at the features that makes the Samsung T105g from Tracfone a solid choice for consumers who are looking for a cell phone for seniors.

The body of this phone comes with a bar style design. It's not the folding type offered by flip phones and clamshell so you don't have to worry about breaking its hinges. It's a relatively light phone and is mainly created from plastic. It's an affordable phone so you really can't expect premium construction for it.

Let's proceed with the color display. frankly, it's pretty small at around 1 inch by 1 inch. Most display's from cheap phones average around 1.8 inches so its smaller than standards. However, it does have a few things going for its such as its fairly sharp resolution.

The keypad for this handset is better than its display when it comes to being a good handset for the elderly. The buttons are not separated but there are deep grooves which allows users to distinguish a button from another. There is also a good keystroke response so one can dial or text with minimal problems.

The Samsung T105g is a simple phone with basic menus and functions so it's suitable for seniors and beginners. One will not spends days on learning how to use it. It works best as a device for calling friends and family.

Here's a video review from YouTube to give you a closer look at this mobile phone for senior citizens.

Tha's it for this post. Visit our blog for more features on cell phones for seniors and other related topics.

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 Rugby II AT&T GoPhone

Another trip to AT&T's GoPhone website pointed me to another cell phone for seniors candidate. The Samsung Rugby II is not a new phone and is designed for users who want rugged and durable handsets. However, since it is included in the carrier's GoPhone packages, it became an affordable option for budget restricted users like seniors.

The Rugby II is designed to take hits and keep on working. It's built to resist dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, and extreme temperatures. So how does these rugged qualities seniors who might want to purchase this handset? Well, seniors do not have a lot of cash to spend o buying phones so a device with a long shelf life and can survive massive amounts of falls is suited to their lifestyle. A durable phone will eliminate the need to buy a new handset every few months.

Now let's look at the features that make the Rugby II a good mobile phone for the elderly. Frist let's look at the handset's main display. The internal screen measures 2.2-inches and supports 262,000 colors, which allows it to provide plenty of space and brightness for the weak vision of some elderly consumers. Users can also adjust the brightness, the backlighting time, and the dialing-font, size, type, and color tome the information on the screen easier to see.

The key pad and th navigation array for this handset is also user-friendly. The keypad buttons are a bit flat but they are spacious and separated from each other so the user will not find it hard to dial numbers or compose messages.

The Samsung Rugby II is more of a mid-range device so it offers a few advanced features. Most of these are not really important for senior users but it still nice to have them on a solid device. The key features for this handset include:

• 2.0-megapixel camera with video
• instant messaging
• Web-based POP3 e-mail support
• stereo Bluetooth
• USB mass storage
• PC syncing
• PTT for making walkie-talkie calls

Performance-wise, the Rugby II can compete with other cell phones for senior citizens in the market. The phone's voice quality is smooth and clear, the volume was loud, and we observed that the speakerphone and PTT audio quality are solid.

That's it for this rugged handset for seniors. Stay tuned as we feature other senior related stuff such as plans, services and more phones.

The Senior-Friendly Nokia 6350

We have featured several Nokia cell phones in this blog in the past and it's about time to feature another one. This time, let's look at the Nokia 6350 a simple and easy-to-use cell phone that was offered by AT&T.

One look at the Nokia 6350 will tell you that one will not spend a lot of time learning to use it. It's a handset that one can master after just a few hours of using it. Seniors who are not familiar with cell phone technology will not experience a lot of difficulty while learning to make calls with this simple cell phone.

Let's look at the physical design of this mobile phone for senior citizens. The 6350 sports a flip design with dual displays. The main display measures 2 inches, which is about average for handset's of this caliber. However, it offers 16.7 million colors (320x240 pixels) which gives it clear graphics and bright colors. It's a suitable display for users with weak vision like seniors.

This handset also offers usable key pad buttons. They are a bit flat but the spacious pad makes it easy for users to dial numbers or compose text messages. Even users with less than perfect eyes will be able to make a call easily because the buttons have large numbers and is supported by bright back lighting. The navigation keys for this handset are also user-friendly.

Now let's talk about performance. After all, seniors will purchase this phone based largely on its ability to make and receive calls. Well, the Nokia 6350 offers satisfying performance when it comes to phone calls. The volume is loud, the signal was clear and strong, and no static or interference were observed. The phone also delivered with speakerphone and Bluetooth headset calls.

Here are the key features for this cell phones for seniors:

• Bluetooth 2.1
• two-megapixel camera
• 1,000-contact phone book
• 14 polyphonic ringtones
• text and multimedia messaging
• full-duplex speakerphone
• USB mass storage
• support for push-to-talk

That's it for this feature. Stay tuned for more post on cell phones for seniors and other related topics.

The Affordable Samsung t259 from T-Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S II is the talk of the town this week but that is not a device that would work for most seniors. The elderly needs a more modest device that is very good at what it can do: make calls.

Well, let's talk about another Samsung mobile phone with a much lower price and a lot less complicated and fussy features. The Samsung t259 from T-Mobile is a much better fit for seniors because it comes with basic features, a cheap price tag, and solid performance. Let's look at the elements that make it a good mobile phone for senior citizens.

The Samsung t259 sports a classic flip design with dual color displays. The internal screen measures 2.2-inch, which is a good size for seniors who may have weak vision. This display features a 240x320-pixel QVGA resolution that looks appropriately bright and sharp. Seniors will have little problems with this screen because the numbers are large when the user is dialing and one can adjust the size of the font to make it easier on the eyes.

But what about the keypad? The t259 also provides a key pad that is suitable for the elderly. The keys are not fully separated but they are ideal for senior users who want easy-to-see and easy-to-press keys. The navigation buttons for this phone are also user-friendly because they have good size.

Now let's discuss performance where it really matters. How does this device perform when making calls? Reviewers indicate that the handsets performed well on both sides of the lines. The voices from the speaker sound natural and loud. The sound clarity is good and one will not notice any background noise, feedback, or digital distortion.

At the time this article was published, the T-mobile website is offering the t259 for $29.99 with a 2-year contract.
Here are the key features of the Samsung t259:

• speakerphone
• 2-megapixel camera
• MP3 player
• a calendar and alarm clock
• Bluetooth connectivity
• voice commands
• address book
• 19 polyphonic ringtones
• microSD card slot

That's it for this post. Stay tuned for more informative articles on cell phones for seniors and related topics.

The Affordable LG100C from Net10

I checked out the line-up of phones from Net10 and was pleased to discovered a number of phones that might be suitable for the needs of senior consumers. Net10 is a minor carrier that specializes in prepaid mobile phones and a flat rate unlimited plan.

We will feature Net10 phones in the future but in this post we will look at the LG100C and its potential as a cell phone for senior citizens. The is one of the most affordable handset's in the company's line-up at only $19.99 . This cheap prize is one of the reasons why I chose it as the first Net10 phone to be featured in this blog.

Now let's look at some design elements for this affordable mobile phone for seniors. The LG100C sports a simple bar style design. It also comes with a basic user interface that any user can navigate without much effort. This is a crucial element since some seniors prefer uncomplicated devices that can get the job done.

The display on this senior-friendly phone is a bit small. It's a color display but the small size might be a hindrance to elderly users who have weak vision. Luckily, the phone's keypad is quite user-friendly. The keypad comes with separate individual buttons so a user will not find it difficult to dial a number or to locate a specific number. The navigation keys for this phone are clearly marked so using the menus are quick and easy.

The other notable features found on the LG100C include the 1000-entry phonebook, voice dialing, voice commands, hearing aid compatibility (M3 Rating), hands free speaker, vibration alert, and text messaging.

Here are some specs and additional info:

• Dimensions: 4.09 x 1.80 x 0.50 (104 x 46 x 13 mm)
• Weight: 2.45 oz (70 g)
• Battery Talk Time Approx. 2.5 hours Standby Time Approx. 10 days
• Included accessories: Battery Wall AC Adapter

That's it for this cheap handset. Stay tuned as we look at more mobile phones for seniors from, the same carrier.

The Affordable Samsung SGH-T249 from T-Mobile

Here's another affordable phone for those who are looking for a cell phone for seniors. The Samsung SGH-T249 from T-Mobile is a simple and cheap phones that can handle all the tasks that are required by elderly users.

I did say that this is an affordable handset so let's tackle the price first. The SGH-T249 is currently available for $29.99 with a two-year contract. I have to say that there are cheaper handsets out there but if you really want an affordable and simple T-Mobile cell phone then this one is a solid choice.

Now let's move on to the features and characteristics that make this phone a good choice for the elderly. Let's start with the display. At 1.7-inch, the display is a bit small. I fell that a cell phone for senior citizens should have at least a 2 inch display. Fortunately, the 220x176-pixel resolution and 65,000 colors support makes up for the lack in size and produces sharp graphics and bright colors. The dialing font size and color, and the backlighting time can be adjusted depending on the need of the user so even the elderly with weak vision can see the details on the screen.

The simplicity of the Samsung SGH-T249 extends from its basic design to its user interface. The UI is simple and can be changed into either a list or grid style.

But how about the keypad? It's a bit flat but the buttons are separated and the backlight can help users when it comes dialing numbers or composing messages.

The other senior-friendly features provided by this handset include a good speakerphone with strong volume and clarity. It also comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera that can record videos. Not really a required feature for a mobile phone for seniors but it's a nice bonus.

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