Old folks' phone goes on UK sale

THEY'RE ALWAYS moaning that mobile phones are too complex and all they really want to do is make a phone call. Well now British old fogies can, with a phone designed specially for them.

The 'Life' handset, manufactured by Austrian vendor Emporia, caters for those of failing hearing or eyesight and shaky hands.

The phone has a large screen plus large buttons and a turbo-charged speaker to blast out the ring tone.

The handset's orange backlight is claimed to be suitable for people with sight problems, and the phone is compatible with digital hearing aids.

There's also a large red panic button on the back of the phone which can be programmed to phone up to five different numbers. Alternatively it can send off a previously prepared text message.

The phone has been endorsed by the UK's Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). It's available from them or Communic8 on a Vodafone prepaid package for £170.

L'INQ
Communic8