One problem I’ve observed with some of the cell phones targeted to seniors
\nis that they seem to be long on marketing and short on real-world usability.
\nSure, there are definite advantages to simplicity, especially if
\npracticality is not compromised. Unfortunately, though, some of these cell
\nphones for seniors seem limited to the point of pointlessness. Once you
\nmake a cell phone truly accessible, why take away all of the great features?<\/p>\n
It’s really cute how some of the manufactures have lasered directly into the
\nboomers bracket by associating the phone with be-bop and simpler times gone
\nby, but I find the marketing somewhat repellant. How about a cell phone for
\ngrown-ups? Yes, I’ve heard the expression, “once a man, twice a child’ as
\nit pertains to aging, but really, is it necessary to be so blatantly
\ncondescending? If you want to buy your loved ones a gift of cell phone
\nfreedom this year, here are some options that range in function and
\nflexibility, without
\nhijacking the 1950’s as though older people are somehow all stuck in a time
\nwarp.<\/p>\n
Your choices are between a mainstream cell phone to which you can add
\naccessible functionality, or a cell phone that is purposefully natively
\nlimited. In the first category, I like the combination of Mobile Speak
\nsoftware and
\nthe Motorola Q phone. It is what I use. I am not a senior citizen but I do
\nrequire speech functionality. Mobile Speak is a software download that
\ncan be installed into a variety of cell phones that use the Smartphone
\nplatform. Simply put, it makes every aspect of the Motorola phone
\naccessible by making the phone speak each feature and function aloud. It
\nhas a full QWERTY keyboard that is tactile and the buttons are not
\nminiscule. I can text with the best of them.<\/p>\n
There is another text-to-speech option, by Nuance, which is based on a chip
\nthat is
\ninstalled into a phone. It is called Talx (for my screen reader friends,
\nthat is spelled with an “x” instead of ‘k s”), and it works in the Nokia
\n6600 series phones. I’ve used this, too, and while it is also very
\nfunctional, the phone itself is not current technology, the software
\ninterface that allows you to sync the phone with your PC is not accessible,
\nand the cable required to do this is proprietary. that means you cannot use
\nstandard USB connectivity. Finding this cable, called the ‘Pop Port,” is
\npractically impossible, if you wanted it. Not that it would do you any
\ngood, due to the aforementioned inaccessibility of the sync software
\ninterface.<\/p>\n
If you do not require speech, an excellent option for seniors is the Doro
\n326i cell phone. Nothing to add, install or that requires
\nsighted assistance. It has large tactile buttons and a large font high
\ncontrast screen. You cannot download software into the phone, but it has
\nenough features to make the phone appealing without being so feature-rich as
\nto be overwhelming. Best of all, you don’t have to be on one of those
\npre-paid minute plans, or be on some sort of closed network that lacks
\ncoverage in your area. It works with several service providers, and is
\nreasonably priced.<\/p>\n
If sheer simplicity is what you’re after, and all you want is one step above
\ntwo cans and a string, there are plenty of those from which to choose, too.
\nIn my opinion, though, if you’re going to go that route, you may as well get
\nthat alert button from the ‘Help I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” people.
\nIt only calls one number, but if that’s all you need…<\/p>\n
LL<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One problem I’ve observed with some of the cell phones targeted to seniors is that they seem to be long on marketing and short on…<\/p>\n