New Jitterbug Phone for Seniors Arrives!

There is no doubt that Jitterbug is one of the leading forces in the cell phone for seniors industry. The brand has almost become synonymous with the cell phone for senior citizens market. We have featured the company's phones and services in this blog multiple times and we now welcome the arrival of a new Jitterbug device into the industry.

Great Call, the moving force behind these useful handsets for the elderly, has announced a new version of the Jitterbug. Called the Jitterbug J, this cell phone for seniors features the same clamshell with large buttons. This special handset is now available online and via select retailers.

However, the Jitterbug J has a slimmer and lighter design than the SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 models. Despite it's new design, this simple cell phone for senior citizens remain comfortable in the hand.

The new Jitterbug J cell phone for senior is simple when compared with most of today's mid-range and high-end cellphones. However, it also offers new features that were not found in earlier models. The new features found in this new Jitterbug phone include Bluetooth that enables the use of wireless headsets.

This new mobile phone for seniors also provided improvements such better -screen navigation, custom ringtones, dedicated speakerphone key and call waiting. The Jitterbug J also boast of a battery that can last 30% longer than previous models.

New services include the MyCalendar app, which lets users add calendar items online that automatically sync with their handset. This new Jitterbug phone also offers new SMS templates and 24/7 access to a nurse call-in service.

Users can also subscribe to the Complete Care package that bundles in roadside assistance and free replacement of lost or broken phones. I like this service. It appears to be beneficial for elderly users. It is offered at a very affordable monthly price of $9.

Unfortunately, the Jitterbug J phone for seniors is offered at the same price of $147. We would have liked it to have a more accessible price in the face of the current economic downturn.

That's it for this post on this new Jitterbug phone. Tune in to this blog for the latest news and updates on cell phones for seniors.

Important Jitterbug Phone Software Update

We have featured the Jitterbug phone and service in this cell phone for seniors blog. The Jitterbug is one of the leading mobile phone for seniors in the market. However, this device is also imperfect and performance issues could sometimes affect its performance.

Samsung has issued a voluntary recall of Jitterbug phone units because of an issue that causes the device to fail when connecting to 911 emergency services. This Jitterbug phone problem most often occurs when users roam outside of their defined calling area or in the a no-service area.

However, Jitterbug phones will operate normally in users' home regions.

Owners of the Jitterbug phone may visit a customer service center to have the phone's system software updated. The models SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 are included in this update. Customers can also send the phone directly to Samsung, which will upgrade the phone and return it within about a week.

Here's a letter from Sue Weaver VP of Customer Service for Jitterbug regarding this problem:

At Jitterbug, we always put our customers first. Your safety and peace of mind are our primary considerations. When we learned that many of the Jitterbug phones sold after March 1, 2008 have a software issue that could, in a "no service" area, impact certain Jitterbug phones' ability to connect with 911 emergency services, we began working with Samsung, the manufacturer of the Jitterbug, to resolve this issue.

Please be assured that this software issue does NOT affect your basic cellular service. You may continue to make and receive calls, including 911 emergency calls, wherever Jitterbug cellular service is available. Again, this is an issue only when there is “no service” available on your Jitterbug phone. So if you are in an area where you are normally able to make phone calls, this software issue will not present a problem.

Although this issue potentially affects only a small number of phone users, Samsung is providing a free update of the software in most Jitterbug phones sold after March 1, 2008. Customers eligible for the software upgrade will receive a letter from Samsung explaining the two easy methods available: 1) visit one of the designated Samsung Service Centers in your area or 2) send your phone to Samsung’s Service Center using the prepaid envelope included in the letter.

As always, our Customer Service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with any questions regarding this issue or any other service need you may have. Simply call 1-800-733-6632.

That's it for this latest news on the Jitterbug phone. tune in to this blog to get more of the latest news and updates on cell phones for seniors.

Large Button Cell Phones for Seniors

The keypad and it's buttons is a major factor for selecting a good mobile phone for a senior user. The elderly are not overly concerned about stylish handsets with their flat keypads and cramped buttons. They prefer a phone with a simple keypad configuration with large and widely-spaced buttons.

Let's look at a few large button cell phones for seniors and do a quick review of their easy-to-use keypads.

The Jitterbug is a premier cell phone for elderly users. And as expected its keypad and buttons are really fir for senior users. Here's what Cnet.com has to say with the keypad on these large button cell phones for seniors:

The usability of the keypad is where this phone really shines. There is a dedicated On/Off button, as well as large Yes and No buttons, along with two simple arrow keys in the middle to scroll through lists. The number keys are similarly large and amazingly tactile, making it very easy to dial by feel if you so choose. Using this phone couldn't be easier.

The keypad on large button cell phones for seniors may not look pretty but nothing can beat them when it comes to usability.

The UTStarcom Coupe 8630 also belongs to large button cell phones for seniors. The buttons are large and widely spaced so one can easily dial a number. This phone also has a dedicated 911 button which allows a user to call for emergency with a single touch of a button.

Some large button cell phones have keypads made out of special material that makes them ideal for elderly users. For example, the navigation and alphanumeric buttons on the Sanyo SCP 7050 are coated with a special material that gives them a a bubble like texture. Seniors can navigate the phone easily and dial numbers by feel due to this substance.

I would also like to mention that the lighting behind the buttons is an important factor. Size is not enough. A phone's buttons should also have good background light to allow a user to distinguish a particular key in low light conditions.

Large button cell phones are great for senior citizens. However, it takes more than just large buttons to make a good handset for senior users. The large button cell phones for seniors should also have a good display, a simple interface and other characteristics to be ideal for one's grandparents.

Sanyo SCP 7050: Built Like a Brick

I've found another candidate for a great cell phone for seniors. The Sanyo SCP 7050 is described as a basic phone that is rugged and durable. Basic phones are usually suitable for elderly persons because they are easy to use and they don't have complex and confusing features. However, the 7050 is more than just a basic phone because it has other attributes that makes it a useful mobile phone for senior citizens. let's explore those characteristics.

The Sanyo SCP 7050 is known as a very durable phone. It has military specs and can reliably resist vibration, dust, and shock. One user described this handset as built like a brick. But why would being so durable benefit seniors? Well, seniors usually have weak hands so they are prone to dropping objects. With its durability and resistance to shock, the 7050 can remain usable even when it has been dropped several times.

One of the factors that makes this device durable is the coating that covers it. The Sanyo 7050 is designed for durability so it is clad in a non-slip, rubberized material. Seniors will be able to grip the phone easily and they will be less apt to drop it. this device can withstand being dropped but it would still be best if it wasn't dropped at all.

The Sanyo SCP 7050 also has a large QVGA display . The 2.0-inch diagonal internal display found on the device is larger than those normally found on basic phones. The display has a resolution 240x320 pixes and can display 265,000 colors, so seniors will be able to read the screen without much difficulty. The phone also features a modern 1.0-inch diagonal monochrome external display that offers information on battery life, caller id and signal strength.

The best cellphones for seniors also features large keys for easy use. The 7050's keys are big enough to be suitable for the elderly. It's navigation and alphanumeric keys have a bubble like texture so seniors can navigate the phone easily and dial numbers by feel. seniors with poor vision will also find the pleasant blue backlight very helpful.

This handset also offers some features like text and picture messaging, voice messaging, voice-activated dialing, e-mail, Bluetooth, a speakerphone, an alarm clock, built-in GPS, and support for Sprint's Ready Link push-to-talk service. It lacks a camera but it also offers games for entertainment.

Sanyo's SCP 7050 has qualities that make it a good cell phone for seniors. However, like all handsets, this device has its share of weakness. For example, I have read several complaints about the speaker phones on this device. A consumer posted that the while on speaker phone the device must be very near the speaker or communication will be very difficult.

I also observed that the Sanyo SCP 7050 is more expensive than most basic cell phones. The durability of the device as well as the modern features probably justify the price. However, the price is an important factor in judging if a device is a suitable mobile phone for seniors. Senior consumers do not usually use their devices a lot and often use them for emergencies so paying a high price for a seldom used device may not be a good idea.