Phone just for the elderly - StraitsTimes - 11 Aug 2010

THE elderly can now get a mobile phone designed to cater to their needs at a discounted price.


The Singapore-made iNO Mobile SOS F12 features extra-large buttons for easy dialling, and an emergency button.

When this SOS button is pressed, the phone will send out text alerts with information on where its user is to up to five pre-programmed mobile numbers, and emit a siren that can be heard up to 20m away to alert those nearby.

The phone, which has a basic 2-megapixel camera and can double as an FM radio and torch, will be sold at $138 without contract, phone-maker Foresight Technologies said yesterday.

The handset will be available exclusively at StarHub outlets from Saturday, with the operator throwing in a free $15 pre-paid card.

The phone will also be available for free with all but its cheapest one-year post-paid plan.

If the mobile plan has overseas roaming, it will be able to send SMS alerts with the user's location when the user is in Malaysia, Thailand, and four major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

StarHub's head of sales and marketing Ng Long Shyang said that the companies wanted to help older users who might have trouble with the smaller keys and displays of regular mobile phones, benefit from mobile technology.

While not a wholly charity project, Foresight's managing director Kenneth Lau said any profits generated would be 'minimal'.

He expects to sell 30,000 handsets.

Ms Cai Ping Kai, a volunteer at the Kreta Ayer Seniors Activity Centre (Kasac), said the handset is a good way to help older users who may be fearful of technology.

As part of the phone launch, the companies have donated 100 handsets to the centre.

Jalan Besar MP Lily Neo will be giving handsets away at a National Day dinner organised by the Kasac tonight.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_564598.html