kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Dec 21, 2015 15:30:13 GMT
Has anyone recently setup an Android phone or have some personal experience using an Android phone with a launcher dedicated for seniors or others with big buttons and dead-on operator simplicity? I'm referring to Android (sorry, no iOS) launchers like Wiser, Big Launcher, etc. (See: www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-best-simple-android-launchers-parents-grandparents/ ) It's time to peel my parents away from their flip phone. It's been totally non-intuitive for either of my parents to handle. They're completely unable to see who has called them on the device, or to even retrieve voice mail messages - impossible. I'm the one paying for the convenience of them having a cell phone. If it means needing to spend a bit more for a phone that's much more intuitive to operate, I'm all for it. WARNING: This is a focused question! I really don't care about what *you* use, unless you're *personally* using an Android device with a simple launcher skin, or have set one up for a parent or other elderly loved one you know. If this is the case, I'm looking for which launcher it is, how long you've used it, and how much easier is it in using a cell phone versus what you were using - or how a loved one has liked the changes made to their phone. I'm digging in the junk box now for one of my older cell phones. I'd like to at least have a couple of examples set up before I go over to see mom and dad on Christmas Eve with what I'm considering. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by pidjones on Dec 23, 2015 23:47:20 GMT
I'd be no help. Tried a Rugby Pro for about six months, then dug out the old flip and forwarded text and voice calls to it. Still have to use the Android for company email (uses Touchdown HD), but all the rest is on the flip. If Android had true adaptive voice dial offline, I'd consider going back, but all claims that they do are just claims, and don't hold up reliably when you are going into a small town and want to tap your Bluetooth headset to tell the wife where you are. Unless they can connect to Mother Google, they are useless. Utter! was promising, but is unsupported orphaned software and too buggy. I'm using a Rugby 4 (their last flip) now.
A Google search and Play store should fix you up!
|
|
kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Dec 25, 2015 19:25:33 GMT
I did show mom those two launchers for a start. See seemed amenable to the idea, so now the fun will begin.
|
|
|
Post by Bartman on Dec 26, 2015 19:19:23 GMT
Have you tried Nova Launcher? With all of the options it offers, surely you could create a theme that would work for them. I've used Nova Launcher for years and I love it. If you don't want to go through all that hassle, what about Necta Launcher? I've never used it, but it's designed for what you're wanting to do. This might help as well.
|
|
|
Post by pidjones on Dec 28, 2015 2:19:30 GMT
Also, consider Consumer Cellular as a provider. They specialize in serving older folks, have AARP discounts and big-button phones. At least check their videos that are great for teaching how-to-use.
|
|
kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Jan 4, 2016 2:03:25 GMT
Have you tried Nova Launcher? With all of the options it offers, surely you could create a theme that would work for them. I've used Nova Launcher for years and I love it. If you don't want to go through all that hassle, what about Necta Launcher? I've never used it, but it's designed for what you're wanting to do. This might help as well. I've not really played much with nova...but will have a chance to when the new phone shows up...I can then do a little more customizing before giving it too them.
|
|
kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Jan 12, 2016 11:27:21 GMT
Installed Wiser and then my wife gave mom a tutorial...picked up on how it works rather quickly.
For now...we'll be keeping tabs on the situation.
|
|
kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Apr 17, 2016 12:13:46 GMT
Update: A bit of confusion with native Android tasks need attention, but for very basic operations, mom seems to get it.
|
|
kwthom
The Parking Lot
Status? I have no status - here or anywhere else, don'tcha know.
Posts: 242
Bike Year / Level: 2016 GL1800
|
Post by kwthom on Jan 4, 2018 14:04:46 GMT
Update: What confused mom was from time to time, the add-on Wiser launcher would have problems, and the standard Android launcher would pop up in its place.
A bit confusing...so, removed the 'training wheels' launcher, then simplified the heck out of the normal Android launcher screens - and went very simplistic on her home screen.
It didn't take much to get her texting either...
Now - dad? Hmph, doesn't care to learn, but if his computer gos weird - oh, he's right on the phone!
Parents and technology...
|
|