Emporia's "emporiaLife" for the silver set
By Sean Cooper 
posted Mar 17th 2007 8:57AM
posted Mar 17th 2007 8:57AM
Emporia focuses on handsets for the older generation and the "emporiaLife" is no exception, targeted squarely at folks 50 and up. Featuring giant-sized keys and the "granddaddy" (pun completely intended) of all screens, this is a potential goldmine market for those wanting to gift cellies to their grandparents or aging parents. On the bottom of this oversized handset is a giant round red heart button that dials an emergency number in case of disaster. Another handy feature is the speakerphone and a screaming-loud ringer, and by screaming-loud we mean scare-the-kids-out-of-the-playground loud. We are immediately struck with nostalgic thoughts of "I've fallen and I can't get up" commercials of days gone by. Pics are on the next pages; extra large, of course, for your aged eyes' appreciation.
I can't speak for anyone else but I know my parents aren't too keen on the slider form factor. They want things as simple as possible, i.e. candybar with no antenna to pull up. And also, I didn't see any red heart in that gallery
A flip phone, one that answers the phone when you open it, and ends a call when you close it, is the simplest paradim for my Mom to understand. A closed flip phone won't accidently make calls when carried with other everyday things in a pocket or a handbag. The phone needs a very simple way to switch it off and on, for situations like being in a concert, theater, or airplane.
The display is wrong. Not enough contrast. As we age we need more contrast to read. A contemporay color display with high contrast color scheme would be much better.
Ive just seen that the Emporia Life mobile phone is now available in the UK through Communic8 ( www.comm8.com). Tel 08701 60060. It's also available with the RNIB.
I just got the new emporia life plus today, amazing. The people at www.matobmobile.co.uk were really helpful and shipped it to me next day. My mother was very grateful!
Derek