The jitterbug cell phone is designed to be an easy to use cellular phone with features that make it simple for seniors to navigate. The jitterbug features large, backlit and bright buttons, but the readability could have been designed slightly better to help those with failing vision. The screen is bright, but the letters could be spaced a little further apart to help in readability. The keypad does feature black buttons with white lettering in large font, which is excellent for decreased vision.
The jitterbug cell phone also features a simple, “Yes” and “No” menu system. Each action is prompted by a simple yes or no command instead of confusing icons. Alerts such as missed calls or new voice messages are also worded as questions so a simple press of yes or no will bring up the messages. Calling to listen to messages is again automated yes/no questions that make the features quite easy to use.
There is only one ring tone on the jitterbug phone. It is an ascending series of high pitched tones. The volume control of the ring tone can be adjusted. On maximum volume it is loud enough to be heard in almost any condition. The high setting is also loud enough for most conditions.
Calls can be made in one of three ways. Voice dialing can be used by saying the person’s name. The person’s number must first be entered in the phone book. A call can also be made by scrolling to the entry in the phone book and pressing yes when prompted to dial the call. Of course, any number can also be entered by dialing the number up on the keypad. The phone also features a familiar dial tone when ready to call. This is a feature that is not available on most cell phones and can aid in usability by seniors who are use to dialing out after hearing the dial tone on the landline phone.
The jitterbug cell phone has an average battery life for a cell phone. It can be difficult to predict the battery life with the variability of use of the average elderly person. If a few short calls are made per week, and the phone is left on stand-by the rest of the time the Jitterbug battery should last an average of 10 days. When using for a few short calls per day the battery should last about 5 days. There is a battery indicator button that will appear on the screen when the battery is low. One drawback of the phone design is that the connector is a small plug that fits into a small opening on the phone. It could have been designed to be more user friendly for those with impaired vision or motor skills.
The Jitterbug Cell Phone is technology for seniors. It is designed to assist seniors and their children to maintain independence and a sense of security. The features of the jitterbug phone make it easy to use and incorporate into the lifestyle of the elderly. The phone is built solidly and is comfortable to use and carry. There are many more features of the jitterbug phone that weren’t touched on that make this phone worth considering for the piece of mind it can provide for the elderly and their families in today’s day and age.