Custom settings make smartphones easy and accessible to older users
BPT » The digital generation gap is slowly narrowing, as older users come to more fully grasp smartphone technology and appreciate its many benefits.
New technologies make it easier than ever to maintain social contacts, monitor health and preserve independence. According to Pew Research, 85 percent of adults over age 65 own cellphones today, and the number who own smartphones has risen from 18 percent to 42 percent since 2013.
Generally, seniors don’t even require specially designed cellphone technology. While some phones are marketed specifically as being for older users, experts say that these specialized gadgets sometimes over-promise and under-deliver. In fact, ordinary Android devices and iPhones are more popular choices, as they’re economical, easy to find and customizable.
Best of all, they don’t have to be expensive. While flagship models like the iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S9 can be pricey, there are many good, affordable mid-range phones available from top manufacturers for $200 or less. You can also often find discounts on models from previous years.
Have it your way
There are countless amazing tasks a smartphone can perform, but the biggest advantage is that they can be fully customized to meet the unique requirements of nearly any user. By spending just a few minutes adjusting settings, a device’s functionality can be made as simple or robust as you need it to be.
Today’s smartphones include a variety of powerful accessibility features that make them incredibly user-friendly. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Accessibility to find many convenient options, such as closed captioning on apps that support it, and a builtin magnifier that uses the phone’s camera. Android phones have a menu of similar functions, which can be found under Settings > Advanced > Accessibility. Samsung models even offer an “Easy Mode,” which configures the Home screen with a simpler layout and bigger icons to provide an easier experience for first-time smartphone users. More adventurous users may even
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