Chennai-based Munoth Communication launched its own brand of mobile phones in the southern market touting the S5, or the senior citizen phone as one of its unique selling propositions recently.
The phone has large key pads and large screen for easy reading, a torch and a sturdy body that can take falls. The phone will have an additional feature of a sensor which can be carried on the user. If one moves say 10 to 15 feet away from the phone, a beep will alert them that they've left the phone behind. A person can even leave the mobile in a suitcase and it will alert you if someone moves it without your knowledge.
In case of any emergency where the owner of the phone needs any kind of medical help and he presses a red SOS button on the back of his mobile phone which activates a loud siren, alerting passers-by to his plight.
Simultaneously, the phone would also sends out ten pre-set SMSes to relatives, friends, an ambulance service and even one to his insurance company. The mobile phone screen then freezes and displays the name of the person, a password and a link to a Web site where the medical records of the user are stored. Through a GPS system the person's location is also known. The company has unveiled nine such models all of which have a provision for dual SIM and memory cards.It also emits lower radiation and has a longer standby battery. The phones will be launched initially in the South. The company was earlier a distributor for Siemens and Panasonic phones.
In the past also, many such initiatives were taken up by mobile companies to cater to different sections of their users. Senior citizen specific mobile phones were launched in market and many players are slowly entering this market after exploring its success.
The Jitterbug, by Samsung introduced new application specific for older citizens. Jitterbug Medication Reminders service helps the elderly to stay up-to-date and on schedule with their prescription schedule. This service is similar to the Auto-Med iPhone Application.
Emporia phones, the Austrian company focuses on the above 50-year-old senior citizens market with phones that are easy to use. Instead of complex menus, commonly used functions such as alarm and SMS have dedicated keys on the side. Even the keypad is huge, and the display can be customized with large fonts. These phone are retailing in Europe for between 75 and 200 Euros, and the company plans to enter the US market soon.
China wholesale electronics leader – Chinavasion also introduced old faithful CVLO-M61 senior citizen cell phone in market. It has jumbo sized keys, text to speech time information and key confirmation for those of us who are hard of hearing.It comes with the facility of instead of hearing tones when you press keys, a pleasant female voice reads out the numbers you're dialing. Old Faithful also has an easy to use flashlight you can activate and deactivate with just one button on the front of the phone. The CVLO-M61 comes with an SOS button on the back of the phone that you preset with an emergency number of your choice. Also if the user can't speak, an SMS text message is automatically sent to that same person notifying them you need help right away.
IBM is also planning to target this sector. Among cell phone users in developed countries, IBM is betting the market with the biggest growth potential is people over the age of 65.
As the higher percentage of population ages, the need for specialized mobile devices will become acute. Phone makers will have to adapt if they want to appeal to a generation that has grown up with mobile devices, but can't use them in the ways they used to.
akankshas@cybermedia.co.in