Savvy ideas on smartphones

Now more than ever, seniors are tech-savvy. Figures show more than half of Australians over 65 have broadband at home and roughly three-quarters of this number use the internet daily.

According to telecommunications company Southern Phone Company, while on paper it appears Aussie seniors have embraced technology, some still feel like they’re behind the times.

“It’s easy to see how this occurs,” said spokesman Matthew Ozolins, “especially if you’re unable to connect quickly with family and friends, feel left out from inside jokes with loved ones or are concerned about how to implement extra security in your home.”

He said while smartphones can make it easier to connect, they can present a steep learning curve for some people. Here are his tips on things to consider when weighing up whether to buy a smartphone.

What are your needs and wants? Smartphone apps can put you in touch with family and friends around the world.

Perhaps a grandchild has moved away and wants to keep you included in what’s going on in their life. Or maybe you want to stay in touch with a relative who lives overseas. You might need to share files, such as photos, or make video calls.

With social media apps such as Facebook you can follow daily updates and news. With video calling services like Facetime or Skype, you can see people’s faces with the press of a virtual button. Alternatively, you may just want to make a few phone calls to friends and family locally.

If you are living on a fixed income, your budget is often the first consideration. If

you have no interest in mobile gaming, social networking, video calling or the wider network of apps then it’s possible that a smartphone could be overkill.

The same could be said about the services that often come bundled with them, as these are designed for someone who would use a greater amount of mobile data. Keep these additional costs in mind when looking at smartphones. The device can cost a fair amount, but so too can the monthly connection and data fees

There are three main styles of mobile telephone – a touchscreen smartphone, a traditional mobile with a numeric keypad, and devices like a Blackberry which feature a full computer keyboard on a much smaller scale.

What will work best for you will largely depend on not only your communication requirements but what you feel comfortable in using. Some people struggle with the transition to a touchscreen phone as they miss the tactile feedback that comes from pressing down on physical buttons, however many users will adjust to the change fairly quickly.

If texting and talking are all that you require a more traditional flip phone with raised buttons is a sound choice. Companies such as Samsung, LG and Nokia still manufacture flip phones tailored specifically for seniors. These feature large buttons and enhanced sound quality to make the operation of the device easier.

While a basic or stripped-down device may be a great option for a new user, people with disabilities or special access needs may benefit from a more premium phone.

Top-of-the-range smartphones often have extensive accessibility features to help the disabled or physically impaired to navigate their phone. For example, one-touch assistants like the iPhone’s Siri interface or Microsoft’s Cortana can be helpful for people with poor vision, and voice-to-text options can help speed communication.