New Smartphone for Mother in 60s
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I know such questions may well have been asked over and over, but if you could take some time for suggestions, it would be appreciated.
My mum has just got back from spending Christmas and new year in Australia, and felt disconnected not having a smartphone to update family, and get updates about family, on Facebook and emails. She has asked that I help her choose a new smartphone.
She currently has a Nokia candybar style phone that I got her a couple of years ago, mainly for the 5MP camera, as she kept using her old camera phone to take pictures, even though I told her that if they were important times, to use her Canon compact camera. So I met her half way in the choice of her new phone and got her one that at least had a better camera.
In recent years she has got onto facebook, with some of our family spread in Europe and Australia, and my Dad passed away, it has become a bit of a lifesaver for her and keeps her updated on her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. So she wants to move into the new era of smartphones.
Now I come onto her habits and usability. Her current phone is a simple Nokia with a reasonable camera. She texts more than calls, and her texting is improving, but she does not use predictive texting as she could not get on with it. She has her own, quite good 3 year old laptop, which I would say she struggles with things on it in terms of dealing with why things on the web and in Word do the things that they do. She has got better through, but thinks as she has got used to Office 97 since it came out, she would struggle to use anything else (yea, I know, 97).
So she wants a modern phone that is a touchscreen, can look at facebook, see facebook pictures, take her own on her phone and upload to facebook, text and call from, and she would like to stick to pay as you go, which she is currently on Virgin with.
I am very technology and gadget minded, I work with technology and computers day in, day out, and know alot about alot, but I always have high end devices if I can (my dad's son
) and Android is my OS of choice. I could make a good judgement on a phone, in fact I am leaning toward the Galaxy Ace 2 as it is small and got reasonable spec, more than good enough for her anyway.
Sorry for the long post, but any user feedback and ideas are welcome.
My mum has just got back from spending Christmas and new year in Australia, and felt disconnected not having a smartphone to update family, and get updates about family, on Facebook and emails. She has asked that I help her choose a new smartphone.
She currently has a Nokia candybar style phone that I got her a couple of years ago, mainly for the 5MP camera, as she kept using her old camera phone to take pictures, even though I told her that if they were important times, to use her Canon compact camera. So I met her half way in the choice of her new phone and got her one that at least had a better camera.
In recent years she has got onto facebook, with some of our family spread in Europe and Australia, and my Dad passed away, it has become a bit of a lifesaver for her and keeps her updated on her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. So she wants to move into the new era of smartphones.
Now I come onto her habits and usability. Her current phone is a simple Nokia with a reasonable camera. She texts more than calls, and her texting is improving, but she does not use predictive texting as she could not get on with it. She has her own, quite good 3 year old laptop, which I would say she struggles with things on it in terms of dealing with why things on the web and in Word do the things that they do. She has got better through, but thinks as she has got used to Office 97 since it came out, she would struggle to use anything else (yea, I know, 97).
So she wants a modern phone that is a touchscreen, can look at facebook, see facebook pictures, take her own on her phone and upload to facebook, text and call from, and she would like to stick to pay as you go, which she is currently on Virgin with.
I am very technology and gadget minded, I work with technology and computers day in, day out, and know alot about alot, but I always have high end devices if I can (my dad's son
) and Android is my OS of choice. I could make a good judgement on a phone, in fact I am leaning toward the Galaxy Ace 2 as it is small and got reasonable spec, more than good enough for her anyway.Sorry for the long post, but any user feedback and ideas are welcome.
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Comments
Yep, I would say the same. Note or Note 2 in a rubberised case (extra grip). Bigger screen means that the text can be made bigger if her eyesight needs it.
The Note 2, also has a 'basic' mode for the home screen that may help to.
I wonder if there are any apps out there for the more elderly? (to assist with smartphone usage)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
There is this one that costs.
There are a few apps that just change font size as well.
I'd recommend a phone with a large screen as well. The note is a good choice.
cannot ever go back to squinting at the small screens ever again
and funnily enough just last night for some reason my wife picked my note up and was playing about doing something or other and when she picked her Samsung Galaxy SG2 back up even she commented how much nicer the viewing experience was
Most importantly of all, it's easy-to-use. It sounds as if your mum is smart,but likes things kept simple. Windows phones can easily be customised with just the apps that are needed, leaving an uncluttered and easy interface. I sold one to a chap the other day who got me to set it up so it had just 5 icons on the front screen: calling,texting,mail,contacts and internet. That's all he wanted to use!
With Apple there is a 'how to' site saved in the bookmarks so it is simple to check to see how to do something if you can't work it out.
The camera is not all that good, but I do use it a lot. The iphone 5 camera is far superior, but of course more expense for me. I find myself using so much on it. I use the calendar and have it saved to Google, use the notes, use loads of apps, use the music, and have a radio app Tunein Radio which I love. I have found out myself how to do everything on it. The only thing that was difficult was setting up the email with Virgin. That was a pain in the backside and did involve several calls to Virgin and Apple help line and Apple Store, also carphone warehouse. In the end someone from Virgin in the UK helped me as he had the same phone and had experienced the same problems.
Of course the best thing is for her to try out some phones and see which she prefers. I found carphone warehouse to be really helpful for all the phones I have owned even if they failed to help me sort out the email problem.
I have another thought on this topic which is that if anyone of any age has trouble with some of the modern technology, they are better off doing woithout it!
Just to keep things from getting out of hand...
Haha, I was not going to say anything :P
Rant over ( I would hate to be patronised like that) but I am sure your heart is in the right place.:)
As someone else suggests, send her or accompany her to a shop to choose for herself!
Slightly cheaper than the GA2, but It isn't as powerful and the screen isn't as good. But it is a nicer looking device, has a newer version of Android and is, in my opinion, better to use due to HTC Sense.
They are both decent, mid-range phones. Well worth comparing the 2 in the shops.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phones+for+elderly&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=Palemoon:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=mobile+phones+for+elderly&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=faM&tbo=u&rls=Palemoon:en-US:official&source=univ&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=KibwUOqcGLHI0AWiqoHIAQ&ved=0CFAQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1357700187,d.d2k&fp=634b5ca19b83c1f4&biw=1366&bih=588