Mobile Phone Blog:

A story popped up on Engadget Mobile, today, about a new mobile phone making its way over to America, the Clarity Life C900… or as we know it better over here, the Emporia Life. It’s unusual in that it’s a mobile phone designed for a very specific market. Not gadget lovers, not cameraphiles, not musos…

Senior citizens. It’s a mobile phone specifically designed for old people.

And that, right there, is a brilliant idea!

Y’see I’ve noticed something. Ok, in some cases, people who are more mature in years really genuinely can’t use some of the mobile phones on the market today. Say, for instance, if bad eyesight makes the touch icons on the Samsung Omnia incredibly hard to use. Supply your own reasons, but it is true that some older people physically have trouble using use some mobile phones.

But I think that’s missing the point, and this is what I’ve noticed. I would argue that a much higher proportion of older people are perfectly able to use something like the Samsung Omnia, but can’t be bothered with the complexity of it. So, I reckon old people not using mobile phones as much is more a case of won’t, than can’t.

And if that’s your viewpoint, then you know what? I’m 100% behind you on it, if you personally think a mobile phone’s too complicated, and you want something simpler, absolutely no-one has the right to say you’re wrong! I reckon old people can get put off by the fact that modern mobile phones are always billed as these vast powerhouses, but the fact is, there are simple mobile phones out there. There are phones that won’t induce panic because you’re not sure how to work them.

The question is, of course, why do a fair number of older people panic, when they see new technology? Maybe it’s fear, and maybe it’s a bit of social programming, since you never really see anyone more mature using high-tech gear, in the media. Unless you watched Malcolm and Connie, in Spooks. Or Arthur Petrelli in Heroes, last night. Anyway, whatever the case, a lot of older people feel they can’t use modern mobile phones, even though they probably very easily could if they wanted to.

Of course, there’s a bigger issue: if you could use complex mobile phones, but choose not to, are you in the wrong? Are you giving in, and being defeatist because you don’t want to get stressed out trying to learn a phone?

No, of course you’re not! You should never, ever feel guilty about what phone you want, whether it’s top end or cheap and simple!

If you don’t want to use modern, so-called complicated mobile phones, then why is that a problem? Why should you have to use a mobile phone like that? Why shouldn’t you be allowed to use something simpler, in peace? And more to the point, why should you have to put up with rubbish mobile phones, just because you want a simple mobile phone?

Oh, and why’s it limited to older people? I know loads of people who’d have a simple phone like the Clarity Life, instead of a big mega-smartphone-monster-thing, any day. Take my auntie (the one I bought the J110 for), for one, who isn’t old, but who does take roughly 4 years to get used to any new phone she has, which is why when I got the J110, she still had an old Ericsson T28.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, many, many more times, but… why should people who want simple mobile phones only have access to rubbish mobile phones? You can get some crackers nowadays, that come in at low prices, even under a tenner in some cases (the Nokia 2610 springs immediately to mind).

So, old people, young people, middle-aged people, people who are old enough to know better, and people who are young enough not to care… join me in saying NO to rubbish mobile phones! Whether you want an expensive one, or a cheap’n, don’t let anyone tell you your choice is wrong. Whether you’re 17 or 100, whether you want a touch-feely smartphone, or a brick that just makes calls, your phone is your choice. And remember, no matter how old you are, if you want a phone that’s ‘designed for senior citizens’, then get one, and don’t take any stick for it.

And if anyone does give you any stick for having a low end mobile phone, tell them I said they’re in the wrong…

Top-end or budget? Features or simplicity? Grab yourself the top-end Samsung Omnia, or the cheap, simple Nokia 2610, today!