LITTLE ROCK — Smart phones are some of the best gadgets around, and the most complicated. I was chatting with a friend the other day about how, despite all my phone can do, I sometimes long for the days of my old flip phone.
It was a bit refreshing to try out this week’s product - the new Jitterbug Plus cell phone.
If you’ve ever watched network television in the afternoons, you’ve seen the Jitterbug commercials. Basically, Jitterbug is a cellular phone service that is aimed at the elderly, though anyone needing some simplicity in their cellular service can use it.
The latest Jitterbug is a flip phone from Samsung, with the phone’s service provided by GreatCall Inc.
The new Plus is a good,old-fashioned flip phone. You remember those, the ones you flip open to reveal a small screen up top and a real keypad below. This keypad has extra large words and numbers, so they’re easier to see. It’s also very basic. The keys include the number keys, an on/off key, a speaker key, arrow up and down keys and keys for “yes” and “no.” The “yes” and “no” and arrow keys provide navigation for the phone.
Navigation is a breeze,because there is very little to navigate. Phone Book, Voice Mail, Call History, Text Messages, Phone Info, Settings, Calendar, My World, 5Star, Camera and My Photos make up the phone’s options. No apps, no Web browser, none of that complicated stuff. What you see is what you get.
Unlike most smart phones, the type on the screen is large. The screen isn’t fancy and has limited colors, but it’s very bright and high in contrast, so it’s easy to read. The keys are backlit, so they’re easy to read as well. I worked with a member of Jitterbug’s target audience to check out the features of this phone. Despite both of us having eye problems, neither of us had a problem reading the phone’s screen.
Navigation is also very easy with the Jitterbug Plus. The menus move up or down on the screen via the arrow keys. The “Yes” key chooses an option. The “No” key is like a “cancel” or “back” button. Each press of the button is accompanied by a loud keytone, so you know when you’ve pressed a button firmly enough.
The phone does include a camera, but it doesn’t offer much. The camera has fairly low resolution, only 1.3 megapixels, so the pictures aren’t very good. The photos have the option to be forwarded, but I was unable to get the option to work properly.
What impressed me the most on the Plus is the battery life. It is ridiculously good. I didn’t use the phone a ton, but even after three days of moderate use, the phone stillhad almost 100 percent juice in the battery. The company says the phone has up to 25 hours of standby time. In this case, I believe it. I wish my phone had battery life this good.
The key to this phone is in the services offered. The services come without contracts, roaming charges, data charges or cancellation fees. Unused minutes will carry over. The basic plan includes only 50 minutes, and text messages are 25 cents each. But it’s only $15 a month. Minutes double with only $5 more a month. The Premium service includes 400 minutes plus WellnessCall, LiveNurse and unlimited nights and weekends. Finally, the Unlimited plan offers unlimited talk and text, all the other features plus voice mail and operator assistance.
Wellness Call is a service where a person will call the phone’s owner at designated times and provide suggestions on improving health. LiveNurse allows the phone user to consult with a nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The service also includes add-ons like 5Star Urgent Response, which provides assistance in emergencies, GPS tracking and connection to a real human being. MyWorld lets you set up the phone to receive weather reports, sports scores and other options. Check-In Call will call the phone to be sure the owner is doing well and doesn’t have any problems. A missed call will trigger the system to send an alert to a family member or friend. These add-ons vary in price, and details can be found on the Greatcall.com website.
The Jitterbug Plus isn’t for everyone, but it certainly does a lot for those it targets. It offers a lot of options, so the phone can be tailored to the exact needs of the owner. The only downside is the add-ons can add up price-wise. In general, though, the Jitterbug Plus and the Greatcall service have a lot to offer, especially to the elderly and patients who need easy access to basic communication.
As for the phone, it’s simple and easy to use. No frills, no fancy features, no muss, no fuss. It’s a bit refreshing. Sometimes, it’s nice to get back to the basics.
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
Where it’s @
The Jitterbug Plus phone by Greatcall retails for $119, but will be available starting today for $99 as a limited introductory offer. Rate plans vary from $15/month to $80/ month. Other features may include additional monthly costs. More information is available at greatcall.com.
Business, Pages 21 on 07/02/2012