Get Connected!
When was the last time you ran into a person who doesn’t have a cell phone? It was probably someone getting up there in years. It’s easy to understand why some older folks want nothing to do with cell phones. They’re intimidating! They’re tiny, yet crammed full of so many features you’ve got to read the manual to figure out how to dial a number! But even taking that into consideration, if your parents don’t have cell phone, they should!
There’s nothing more unnerving than not being able to get a hold of your parents and wondering if anything has happened. And conversely, don’t you think they’d find it reassuring if they had a phone that was simple to use so that even in case of emergency they could contact someone? You’re not the only one who feels that way. You might be surprised to find you actually have a choice when it comes to simple, easy to use cell phones.
The ClarityLife is the newest of the bunch. In fact, it’s still a few weeks away from release. One of its main features, is that it doesn’t have many features! This is one case where simple is certainly better. The ClarityLife is not a camera, it can’t surf the web or display your favorite tv show. But you sure can make a phone call. And you can see what you’re doing! It has a screen that’s big and bright. The numbers on the keypad are large and easy to dial. Clarity is a leader in sound amplification and it puts it’s expertise to good use boosting the volume up on incoming calls by 20db. And on the back of the phone you’ll find a big red button you can push in case of emergency.
Another choice is the UTStarcom Coupe 8630 from Verizon. This phone is a little more sleek and compact, but still big enough to know you’re carrying it. Again, no camera, no web and no Bluetooth, but it does have a dedicated 9-1-1 button and three others labeled I, C and E which stands for “in case of emergency” that can easily be programmed to call any number with just one push. The full-color screen is bright and vibrant.
The Samsung Jitterbug has a large, bright display and easy-to-read buttons you can feel on the keypad. The phone itself is on the hefty side, similar to the cordless phone you use at home. Another similarity is as soon as you open the phone you’ll hear a dial tone! And instead of a menu-based directory, the phone has a yes and a no button for the simplest navigation. It has a speakerphone for hands free operation. It might just be the simplest phone ever created.
Do be careful when you’re shopping. The only thing more complicated than a cell phone itself is the service contract you have to buy with it. Do as much shopping as you can online to determine which plan and price is best for you. Web sites like CNET can be invaluable.
The point is, don’t give up, and don’t settle for something you’re not comfortable with. Phone companies are realizing there certainly is a market for easy-to-use cell phones. And the benefits of being connected far outweigh extra time it might take to make the right choice. Technology that allows us to be more active, to leave home without fear and to stay connected is well worth taking advantage of. Get a phone, stay in touch with the people who care and start Growing Bolder!