Even Your Grandmother Can Use It - Making Cell Phones Simple

Finding a cell phone that fits your lifestyle andnavigation scheme. This cell phone has no
disposition can sometimes be challenging. TheBluetooth, no camera, and no GPS, but it does
elderly, in particular, can sometimes have difficultycome with a 500-contact phone book and a built
adapting to constantly-changing technology, evenin speakerphone -- more than adequate for the
when it comes to something as relatively simplesimple needs of anyone who just wants a simple
as a cell phone. Fortunately, many cell phonecell phone. Best of all, the Coupe is a whopping
companies have taken steps to make technology$20 with a new Verizon Wireless plan.
easier for the elderly -- or anyone who isn't atThe Verizon 65 Plus Cell Phone Plan
home with technology -- easier to use.To complement their new cell phone, Verizon is
Several cell phones on the market are alreadypushing an entirely new wireless plan geared
geared towards the elderly -- the Jitterbug, fortowards the elderly. Formally known as America's
example, or even simple, low-end phones like LG'sChoice 65 Plus, this wireless plan comes in one of
VX4700. A particularly exciting entry into thistwo basic forms: The 65 Plus Single Line Plan,
market is the new Verizon Coupe, a cell phonewhich is 200 anytime minutes and 500 night
that actually earned the Good Housekeeping Seal& weekend minutes for $29.99 a month; and
for its simplicity and ease of use.the 65 Plus Two Line Plan, which features 450
The Verizon Coupeanytime minutes and 1000 night & weekend
The Verizon Coupe's main draw its its simplicity --minutes, (shared between two lines) for $59.99 a
no bewildering feature set, no complicated usermonth. Both allow unlimited calling within the
interface. The Coupe's clamshell design featuresVerizon network.
three large red buttons right below the displaythatLike the Coupe itself, Verizon's cell phone plan is
spell out "ICE" -- short for In Case of Emergency.basic, no-frills, and designed to make life easy for
These easy-to-find buttons make dialing 911 oranyone who wants a cell phone without a lot of
other emergency numbers quick and easy,hassle. If you have a grandparent who's still using
making it an ideal cell phone for the elderly. Intheir Eisenhower-era phone, or even just a
addition, the Verizon Coupe has one very usefultechnophobic friend who quails in terror at
advanced feature -- voice recognition dialing.anything more complicated than a toaster oven,
In keeping with the "ease of use" philosophy, thethis might be a great opportunity to bring them
Coupe's menu features large font and a simpleinto the twenty-first century.