Mobile phones can be a lifeline for older people, yet show many even a fairly basic handset, and they'll look thoroughly confused. That's not their fault either: phones simply aren't made with the elderly in mind. Well, most phones aren't. It's easy to forget this if you've been brought up with icon-based GUIs and interactive menu systems.
Austrian firm Emporia Telecom specialises in making phones for over-50s. Forget mobile TV, MP3 music and five-megapixel cameras: these are more about big buttons, extra loud volume, emergency call functions and easily-settable alarms to remember to take medication.
The company is touting its range at next week's Mobile World Congress show. Every operator should have at least one handset like this in its range. There are millions of old people in the UK, whose families want them to have a permanent means of contact when out and about, and regular handsets just don't cut the mustard.
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Jeong-Kyun Nam's T-Phone - picture phone for the elderly
so i'm elderly at 50 now am I you insulting patronising bastards