Stress Test: Jitterbug

Mike Schuster  Jan 08, 2009 9:45 am

Stress Test: Jitterbug
 
How does this phone for the elderly stack up against its hipper brethren?
 

In the race to equip consumers with the most advanced technology imaginable, one demographic was overlooked - the elderly. But service provider GreatCall and mobile phone maker Samsung are attempting to level the playing field with a straightforward device for the technically hesitant.

It's called Jitterbug, and what it lacks in leading-edge features, it makes up for in ease of use.

But what if a call needs to be placed quickly and efficiently? Should users default to a rotary, upgrade to a touchscreen or rely on Jitterbug? Minyanville put it through its paces to find out.

 

Pharmacy
Grandchildren
Moviefone
Roadside Assistance
Ambulance
         
Jitterbug:
The large, easy-to-read keypad gives glaucoma patients an edge when calling to have prescriptions refilled.
Jitterbug:
With enough room for an amped-up hearing aid, the Jitterbug makes it possible for meddling grandparents to detect bong use in the background.
Jitterbug:
Flaws in voice recognition could direct the soft-spoken to My Bloody Valentine 3-D instead of a matinee presentation of The Reader.
Jitterbug:
The handy dial tone feature notifies you that, yes, AAA just hung up before confirming your location.
Jitterbug:
Routinely unplugging the phone charger for fear of starting a house fire results in a dead battery - and your demise.
Rotary Phone:
Human error is rampant when dialing (literally) 10-digit prescription numbers. The next thing you know, Nana's high on Xanax.
T-Mobile Sidekick:
"N33d sum $$$ 4 sk00l" isn't generally understood by people over the age of 50.
iPhone:
Many iPhone applications offer film synopses with showtimes, thereby dissuading senior citizens from seeing the reverse-aging tease that is Benjamin Button.
OnStar:
There's nothing like a soothing voice directly following a 10-mile-an-hour car accident.
Life Alert:
Haven't you seen the ad? All. Senior. Citizens. Should. Have. Life Alert.
Edge:
Jitterbug
Edge:
Jitterbug
Edge:
iPhone
Edge:
OnStar
Edge:
Life Alert
obs flame Drakkar Brut Flame
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