Mobile Phones
Mobile phones have become an integral part of many Australians life. Although seniors have long been ignored with this technology, things are now changing. Mobile phones are being created specifically to target senior users. Mobile phones can give you a link to anyone no matter where you are. Many mobile phones can now also, take photos, record sound, record videos, play games, watch tv, the list is almost endless.
Also endless are the options for your mobile. Below are some links that will help you understand these options.
- Wikipedia.org. An online encyclopaedia that lists all the common mobile phone terms, amongst other things. A great starter site.
Go there
- phonechoice.com.au. A fatastic website that includes a Bill Calculator that shows the plan that is right for you based on your usages.
Go there
- Reviewcentre. Read reviews about the latest mobile phones.
Go there
- Australian Communications and Media Authority. Lists all Australian mobile telephone companies, and links to their websites.
Go there
Mobile phone plans explained
Choosing the wrong mobile phone plan can be a costly error but working your way through the myriad of information available is almost impossible as YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Brian, has found.
Q. Brian
I have an 80 year old friend who has a problem evaluating which mobile telephone company is the best deal for him. He presently has a “use only”
account with Optus which he pays at the end of a month. This industry is a minefield for everybody but especially for the aged as it is so complex. Is there a website in existence that can give clarification in this matter?
Thank you
Your mobile phone plan may come with $100 bonus minutes, but it may amount for less than $20 on another network!
The mobile phone industry in Australia is increasing rapidly with thousands of mobile phone plans on offer, but what do they all mean?
I will detail two different plans for SIM only (you already have your own phone) on offer and compare what they really mean.
Three $29 Cap
Plan Cost per month: $29
Included Monthly Value: $150
SMS (text messages) – $0.25 per message
MMS (multimedia messages) - $0.75 per message
PXT (picture messages) - $0.75 per message
Mobile Phone calls – $0.30 flagfall, $0.40 per 30 seconds
National Phone calls – $0.30 flagfall, $0.40 per 30 seconds
Video Phone calls – $0.30 flagfall, $0.50 per 30 seconds
Vodafone $29 Cap
Plan Cost per month: $29
Included Monthly Value: $150
SMS – $0.25 per message
MMS - $0.75 per message
PXT - $0.50 per message
Mobile Phone calls – $0.35 flagfall, $0.42 per 30 seconds
National Phone calls – $0.35 flagfall, $0.42 per 30 seconds
Video Phone calls – $0.35 flagfall, $0.63 per call
As you can see, Vodafones flagfall fees are $0.05 more per phone call and $0.02 per 30 seconds than the Three deal. SMS and MMS prices are the same. If making phone calls and sending SMS messages are all you need, then the Three $29 cap would be better value for you, though if you make Video phone calls, the Vodafone $29 Cap offers a fixed rate on all Video Phone calls at $0.63 per call which seems quite reasonable, and is a far better price than the Three $29 Cap’s $0.50 per 30 seconds.
You can find a wide range of deals with or without phones included at YouCompare.
Mobile phone flight check-in
While some airlines are still struggling to offer online check-in from a PC, technology has taken paperless travel one step further with mobile phone check-in.
With Virgin, Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger competing furiously to create the best mobile phone check-in system, there are a few ideas floating around at the moment. Qantas and Virgin Blue have already produced and put into action their Smartphone check-in systems, which use MMS to send the traveller a barcode which can be scanned at boarding. Jetstar is working on a sms based text reader system which would allow all users to check-in via their mobile, using a code. Tiger Airlines have yet to introduce a system.
It is important to note that the major flaw with all these systems is that if you need to check your luggage, you have to go via a check-in kiosk or desk where you are printed a boarding pass with a receipt (in case your bag is lost in transit).
Make sure your mobile batteries are well charged before you reach the gate!
Virgin Blue
Virgin Blue was the first airline to introduce smartphone check-in throughout Australia. When booking a flight, you are sent a 2D square barcode image which contains the flight and passenger details. If you are travelling alone, with no checked in bags, you can head straight to the departure gate and simply scan you phone to board. If travelling with others or you need to check bags, head to the self-check-in kiosk, scan your barcode and you will be printed a boarding pass and baggage receipt if required. Find out more by clicking YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
Qantas
Mobile Check-in is available for eligible Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights between 24 hours and 45 minutes before your flight departure. Your boarding pass is sent to you as a 2D barcode via SMS that you can scan at the boarding gate for your flight. Again, if you are travelling with others or you need to check bags, head to the self-check-in kiosk. Find out more by clicking YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
Jetstar
Instead of generating a 2D barcode, Jetstar’s process produces a text message suitable for all mobile phones. Check in is done on a regular computer 24 hours maximum before the Jetstar flight is scheduled to leave. In the booking process you are asked if you want to pre-enrol for the text service, which is sent to your mobile phone.
At the airport you place the mobile with the text message displayed in a tray in the self check in kiosk or in a special reader which scans it and prints a boarding pass.
*Jetstar is still in the process of implementing this system*
Mobile phone safety
A U.N. study, spanning a decade and covering 13 nations, into the effects of mobile phone use linked with the risk of cancer has been inconclusive, but it doesn’t mean you should stop safe practices.
Experts ruled the $24 million study inconclusive, but the fact remains that the study did uncover some evidence of a cancer risk, providing more than enough evidence to deter extended use of mobile phones.
Some national radiation advisory authorities around the world have recommended measures to minimise exposure to their citizens. These recommendations are:
· Use hands-free to decrease the radiation to the head.
· Keep the mobile phone away from the body.
· Do not use telephone in a car without an external antenna.
Several nations have advised moderate use of mobile phones for children.
To find out more about mobile phones, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
Uploading mobile phone photos
If the thought of transferring to your computer, a photo taken on your phone seems beyond your technical capabilities, fear not, Webmaster, Drew has a simple guide to help you figure it out!
Current phones possess many of the hallmarks of a camera and a computer; these new phones can neither store massive amounts of photos nor print the pictures we take on them. Now instead of abandoning all hope and throwing away your new camera phone, take a minute and read our YOURLifeChoices simple guide to transferring photos from your phone to your computer!
The easiest way to send photos to your computer is through a process called Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). It stands for multimedia messaging service, and is a process that allows you to send your photographs from your smart phone to an email address. Once the picture is taken, simply click on your options tab and click ‘MMS’, and type in your desired email address. It is very simple, and takes seconds, as the photo below, sent from my phone to my email address just seconds ago should attest to.
However this works best for the transfer of singular photographs. Whenever you need to transfer a large number of photographs from one place to another, the best way to do this is by using USB transfer. Most camera phones come with a specific USB cable.
This allows you to connect your camera to the USB port on the computer, and depending on the style and type of your phone and which program it uses, will open up a new window in your computer. (If a window does not open, then more than likely you will have to install the program. Check your phone’s box, as there is normally a CD in there.) These programs are designed to be user friendly, and it is easy to transfer photographs from the phone to the computer. In fact, more often than not, when the phone is connected the computer you will be prompted as to whether or not you want to do so.
So now you know exactly how to maximize the potential of both your phone and your computer, and how they can work harmoniously together!
Save on phone and broadband
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Liz, is trying to find an independent website to compare broadband and phone plans for her 88-year old mother.
Q. Liz
Could you please direct me to an independent website where I can see comparisons between all Telco’s? I am trying to find, on behalf of my 88-year old mother living on the Gold Coast, the cheapest bundled landline and broadband plan. In my opinion, she would need no more than 1-2 GB of broadband. I find that there are so many plans out there and on talking to some of the reps of these Telecos, they themselves are not too sure about their plans! It is all too confusing for my mother and frustrating for me! Please help.
A.
Hi Liz,
Below we have listed a number of different websites for comparing broadband and landline deals around Australia. As your mother is in receipt of an Age Pension, she is eligible to receive broadband, landline and mobile service through TADAust Connect, an organisation who provides discount services to people with disabilities, the aged and veterans.
TADAust Connect
Phonechoice
Youcompare
Regards,
Drew
Mobile phone reviews
Review - Oricom Ezy100
Pro’s:-
I love the large easy to read keyboard.
The loud volume is great
The emergency call button gives me a feeling of security.
I like how the keypad locks automatically, so no accidental dialling numbers.
The phone is a nice weight and feels ergonomically comfortable to hold.
Cons:-
The text size could be larger.
A camera would be a nice addition.
Overall impressions, I liked the phone very much and would be happy to own one, thank you for letting me use it.
Helen
Find out more details on the Oricom Ezy100
Reviews - Telstra’s Easy Touch Discovery
Telstra’s Easy Touch Discovery mobile phone is great for all ages. Large key pad buttons are easy to see and use one handed even for those affected by arthritis. Good reception in country areas, very important for travellers and those who live in remote places.. Its compact size houses all the technology one could want and makes it easy to carry. The GPS function is terrific. Unlike its predecessor, the flip top design prevents one’s ear from getting hot when using the phone for long calls. One negative, the camera is easy to accidentally turn on when picking it up, but it does take wonderful photos. The time, day and date display on the front of the phone is very handy. Battery time is good.
All in all I found this phone a delight to use, it will definitely be my next mobile. I spend a lot of time teaching art workshops out west and need a good, reliable phone.
Summer
First impression was the Telstra Easy Touch Discovery mobile phone was suitably small and light, the texture at the back being reasonably non-slip therefore not easily dropped.
The main screen icons were easily identifiable, with the Help File being a great ‘help’ in personalising the phone without needing to refer to the instruction booklet. The main features used by me to personalise were wallpaper, ring tone, message tone, speaker/earpiece volume, keypad sound/volume. Keypad voice was a useful tool to check the right buttons were pressed to make a call. The Alarm, once, was helpful to remind me of appointments, sometimes forgotten.
I also needed to put the phone on Meeting quite often so it was Silent but the Vibrate mode would alert me of a call. When driving I use a Bluetooth speaker so was able to pair this phone to my speaker for safety. Messages using the Predictive Text I found fairly slow and confusing so preferred to use ‘abc’ mode. Photos were easy to take and forward, when accessing Big Pond I found the text on the screen very small and difficult to read so didn’t use this feature.
Overall, a very user friendly phone for this Senior.
Barb
Review LG KF300
1. Minute illustrations of keys in the “User Guide” require a magnifying glass to identify them. Not only for my 78 year eyes but also those of the twenty-plus young man in the Crazy Johns shop, could not identify the illustrations.
2. Charging - page 22 of the Guide says “connect ...to the socket on the left side of the phone” but does have a reasonably accurate illustration of the plug entering the right side, except that there is no mention of the flimsy cover which I could not open initially and have concern at every recharge as I expect it to break off. Also the arrow on the connector is not readily observed.
3. I then experienced difficulty getting started so called at a Crazy John’s shop for help. Unfortunately I did not note down what the initial difficulty was in detail. After the young man got the phone sim card to activate, I wandered outside and called home. “The number you have called is switched off or not available”. Back to the shop and after a bit more fiddling the young fellow got it to work. I then called home with no problem.
4. I live in an area where there is no signal except for the latest 3G phones. This unit, like my Nokia, does not get a signal till I drive 500 metres or more from home.
5. The speed at which one can enter a number to be called seems to be very slow, but once entered are large clear illustrations which would help an older person.
6. I then decided to try the hands free head set. I plugged it in and was horrified to get a message “This phone is locked”. I hurriedly unplugged and resumed normal calls with no problem thank goodness. Next morning I searched the Guide which does not have an index but only the Table of Contents, and eventually found the reference to “Headset” and turned to page 72. As I would not want to permanently use the hands free earmicrophone I did not attempt to set the phone to “Headset”. There is also the possibility that “headset” is not the same as “earmicrophone”.
7. A novice mobile phone user would experience great difficulty getting started. An experienced user would soon get up and running and would appreciate the large bold numbers on both keys and screen.
Neville
What is an App?
Technology advances mean whole new raft of words to learn. YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Tim, is keen to know what an “App” is and if he needs one?
Q. Tim
I am a 68-year old who travels regularly and my family recommended I purchase and iPhone for my travels so I can check my emails on the road. They also said it is possible to take photos with the camera and upload them directly to the internet so I can share my caravanning adventures. I have done some research on the iPhone but am confused about what an app is, and why I should have to pay for something that is not included in my plan. Am I missing something or could you explain this in a little more detail to me?
A. Hi Tim, Drew here
I am glad to hear you are taking the leap into the future of phones. You may struggle at the start with the iPhone but will eventually get the hang of it with continued use, as I also had problems when I first attempted to use one. An “app” refers to a downloadable iPhone application listed on the Apple App server. There are now over a million Apps that you can currently download, many which are free. These apps are developed by companies and prices listed accordingly.
Hopefully this answers your question. I have detailed a couple of useful apps below.
Speed Cameras
An app that utilizes the GPS capability of your phone and location in order to warn you when a photo enforcement device such as speed cameras or red lights cameras are approaching, and when you exceed the limit speed. This app costs $2.99 but could save you hundreds of dollars if you accidentally went over the limit!
Grocery IQ.
An interesting app that lets you save a grocery list onto your iPhone that is sorted according to the section of the supermarket where you will find it (e.g. dairy, fruit and vegetable).
I hope this information helps you to understand the iPhone and the complexities involved, but also makes you realise what is now possible while travelling the globe!
Visit the iPhone app store.
Phone tips to save $$$
At some point, many mobile phone users will have dropped their phone in water. Quick and correct action may save you a hefty repair bill.
Read our tips on what to do when you drop your mobile phone in water and hopefully, if it ever happens to you, your phone should escape the ordeal intact.
Do’s:
· Separate your battery from your phone IMMEDIATELY.
· Pull your phone apart as much as you can (make sure you remember how to put it back together!)
· Dry the phone as much as possible with cotton wool or cotton buds
· Either leave your phone somewhere warm or place it in bowl of dry rice (the rice absorbs moisture), for at least 1 day.
· If your phone will not turn on after this process, place your battery in a freezer safe bag (only the battery, not the phone) and pop in your freezer. This will reset the battery and hopefully make it work again.
Don’ts:
· Don’t put the battery back into the phone just to see if it’s working, wait it out! Most phones that are dropped in water are damaged as a result of short circuiting because of the battery not being removed or attempting to activate while still wet.
· Don’t use a hairdryer to speed-up the process. This won’t evaporate the moisture; instead it will force the moisture deeper into the circuits!
· Don’t try to heat the phone in any way; it needs to be dried SLOWLY. You can put it near a heater on very low, in a hot water cupboard or in an uncooked bowl of rice as above, but if you try and heat it, the moisture will be forced somewhere harder to fix and cause long-term problems.
These steps are general guidelines and may not work in every instance, but when faced with buying a new phone or paying to have it repaired, they are certainly worth a try.
Gift of communication
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Ellie, would like to get her mother, who has trouble with technology and limited vision, a mobile phone as a Mother’s Day gift.
There are hundreds of phones available on the market, with a very limited number of phones dedicated to the seniors market. With this in mind, looking on sites such as ebay are a great idea because the old style phones come with large, easy to use buttons such as the Nokia 5110 for example which could set you back anywhere from $5 - $25 depending on condition, quite a steal compared to splashing out on a new phone.
Having worked with someone with vision problems for over three years, I found that flip phones are extremely helpful as the person does not have to click the accept call button, only open the phone to answer the call.
While there are many phones that would suit this situation, there are a few worth taking a look at:
Samsung M300
Nokia 6085
Sony ericsson Z320i
Nokia 5110
Compare and save on Broadband and Phone plans
Have you noticed your phone bill slowly rising over the last couple of months without any explanation? It may be time to look around at the different deals to be snatched up in these tough times!
AboutSeniors have provided you with two options under each category to compare different plans from different service providers!
Home phone plans
You get the best value for money with your home phone plan when you “bundle” your home phone and broadband connection together, so if this is an option, consider it. If you don’t want a bundle package, then choose your landline package carefully and read the fine print, but most importantly, think of how you make your phone calls, as there are many packages which charge for line rental but offer free national and local calls but charge large amounts for call to mobiles.
Phonechoice
Youcompare
Mobile phone plans
There are many different plans out there, so when choosing make sure you look closely at the fine print as there are many caps which offer $300 of credit for a low price of $49.95, compared to a plan which charges $49.95 per month for that amount of credit. The difference between many of these plans are the rates charged for calls and sms messages.
Phonechoice
Youcompare
Broadband internet plans
When choosing a broadband plan, it is best to “over estimate” your internet usage than under estimate as it may cost you A LOT more in the long run. Optus is one of the few companies to offer deals that will not cost you anything more than what you pay if you go over your monthly download limit, instead they reduce your internet speed to that of a dial-up modem, which may be an option that suits you better.
Phonechoice
Youcompare
iPhone
The new 3G iPhone from Apple has had a extremely successful launch in Australia and around the world. When you see men, women and children of all ages, huddled outside a dealer being supplied with only a certain number of phones each day, hoping it is their day (not just the opening day!), then you realise, there must be something special about this iPhone.
Key Features:
· Mapping and Navigation
· Connect to the internet and email
· iPod inside
· 2 mega pixel camera
· Bluetooth enabled
· Louder speakers than previous versions
· Smart contact search feature
The mapping and navigation system of the iPhone are practical and serve the purpose of giving you a general idea of how to get from your current location (the phone knows where you are!) to where you want to be. Unfortunately, it does not show you the exact route and give voice navigation however, it is still a valuable tool.
The two main features of the iPhone, are access to the internet and email, and what we like to call, the “iPod” inside. The iPhone navigates the internet and email fairly efficiently, with not too many dramas in the larger sense and does everything that it has promised, with a little to be desired for the future. The music playing “iPod” section of the phone is quite similar in design to a standard iPod and is quite easy to use.
While the iPhone may look complex, it is fairly easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. We must remember with every new product released on the market, they cannot accommodate everything we (or the critics)may have hoped for. Click the following link to view an article, Top 10 reasons to hate the iPhone 3G, from APCmag.
To view more information on the new iPhone 3G from Apple, and to find the nearest stocking locations, visit Apple.
Senior friendly phone
Finding a senior friendly phone is a huge ask, though it’s the one piece of technology that seniors want – and say they need. Telstra has continued its commitment to making technology more accessible to the seniors’ market and come to the rescue with the Samsung A412, the most senior friendly phone on the market.
The new flip-top Samsung A412 has slightly raised buttons, much larger than other mobile phones. As users look at the screen on the mobile, and dial, the numbers come up in large, easy-to-read font. It’s a simple and straight forward solution for people who are new to technology but includes features such as a camera (for sharing images of grandchildren, for example) and text messaging.
With the Samsung A412 on a Telstra package there’s no need to worry about coverage, as it’s a ‘blue tick’ phone – recommended for rural hand-held reception on the Next G Network. It’s available for $0 upfront on a $20 monthly plan, over 24 months, and is designed for people who need the piece of mind of having a phone for emergencies but don’t make large numbers of calls. The Samsung A412 can also be purchased outright for between $439–$499. Note: minimum cost is $480 plus usage. Find out more
