As mobile phones get more like mini PCs everyday, it’s difficult to find a user-friendly phone, never mind one that older Australians can easily use. Would you like to review the latest senior-friendly mobile phone from Telstra?



About Seniors, have three Easy Touch Discovery phones, supplied by Telstra, which we’re looking for people to review* and give us some independent feedback.



Tell us what function you would like to see on a senior-friendly mobile phone and you could be chosen to receive and review the Easy Touch Discovery mobile phone.*



Easy Touch Discovery functions include:

Easy to use phone

A-GPS (assisted global positioning system)

Dual Camera design for photos and video calling

FM Radio

Media Player

SMS,MMS,E-Mail & Video Calling Supported

2.4 inch LCD Display

Bluetooth





Large Numbers & display

Dual Camera

SMS, Email

Bluetooth

Speakaphone









*Review period is for one month, phone must be returned after this period in good condition and working order. Fair use policy will apply. Review must be submitted to About Seniors for posting on website.

[size=4]- on-screen scrollable QWERTY "keypad" with touch-screen facility

- meaningful ringer & incoming signal volume controls

- braille keys and/or "talking" controls for the visually-impaired.

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Also colour display to make it easier to read. I agree with the other needs as well, especially the keyboard.



Cheers,

Graham.

I think two of the most usability things should be visibility and large key pad. Lots of us oldies have poor vision and don't always have glasses with them, so clear screens are important. Larger keys are also important, in that those of us with fingers that are misshapen from arthritis, can more easily handle them. Another thing that needs to be included, is a higher volume capacity, for those with hearing problems and some hearing aids are just not compatible with mobile phones.

So my inclusions would be:



visibility

large key pad

higher volume capacity.

I would have thought that the ideal phone would not have all these facilities. I would look for,

Easy to use phone

2.4 inch LCD screen

The only other facility, that I would personally consider would be the blue tooth, but I still drive.

I believe, that you are not looking for extra features, but, nobody has mentioned, something that I think is a vital advance.

A keypad with slow response, so that seniors, who are both nervous & shaky, don't get multiple selection repeats, such as 00 or 222 etc.

I agree with the suggestions so far. I would like to add:-



Long-life battery.

Include in-vehicle battery-charger.

Include head-phones.

Non-glare screen easy to read in all light conditions.

Easy to access phonebook - with 100 plus entries.

I forgot - the phone needs to be available without having to change plans. It would be even better if it could be purchased "unlocked" (so it can be used with other plans and provideres).

Two things to add to the list.



1. A clear speaker. Many mobile phones have "tinny" speakers and are hard to listen to.

2. Good reception - at least a Telstra blue tick. There are still lots of areas evrn on the east coast where nextG just does't work on some phones

I agree with all the above - however one thing that often gets overlooked is that the majority of mobile phones are not compatible with hearing aids. Somebody plese develop a mobile phone that links with hearing aid technology

I have got one of these Telstra 'phones and in the main find it quite good. However I would have liked the keys to be larger. I like the shiney silver cover because it is easy to find in my bag where they tend to slip down under everything else. I wasn't very happy with the manual and sometimes have symbols showing at the top that I can't find in the manual and don't know what they are. My answer is to turn off anf start again. Anything I can't do I ask a grandchild......they always seem to know the answer. There is a calculator which is easy and useful when shopping. There is one key in the centre of the pad that is indented so I assume that is to give a central point for sight impaired people. There was a CD to connect to the internet etc but I haven't activated it as then I wouldn't make mistakes and incur extra cost. Now I have got used to it it is quite easy to use. I paid $198 for it at JB hi fi and just swapped the sim card 'cos we are on a Telstra plan. Hope this is of any help.

Further to the post above I made a call alittle while ago and this 'phone has a speaker phone on it.

One other thing would be a decent large print manual with an index to make it easy to read. Some of us find we need bigger fonts as we get older.

My Mum-In-Law said "I will use a Mobile Phone if it has:-

A large Screen!

Large Keys!

Talks to me!

I need these things especially as I get older.;-

Good on her at 97 and we sure hope she will get a lot older and stay healthy and happy and

as "with it" as ever.

Phyl.

To reply to "wforting" just for your information you can get hearing aids with bluetooth capability. Check with Grayson Riley of Holland Park in Brisbane.

I think a senior mobile phone just has to be simple to use besides the obvious large keys and volume etc. It is the comment I most hear, that the phones are too complicated. Just keep it simple.