BY STAFF WRITER —
If you have to put on your reading glasses to use your cell phone, you’re not alone. But it doesn't make it very convenient.

The new cell phones that take pictures and play music and movies are great ... for some people. But they aren’t designed for older eyes and fingers, which would benefit from larger screens and buttons. And many seniors just want to use their phones to make a call, not take a photo, surf the internet, send a text message or play video games.

Manufacturers, ever aware of the growing older market, are coming to the rescue with cell phones designed specifically for seniors.

Some phones are very easy to use, but limited in features. For example, there may be only a few programmable speed-dial buttons, which restrict how many persons you can call. Some offer GPS locators that can tell others where you and the phone are, as long as the phone is on.

If you want more features than the “senior” cell phones offer, one alternative is just looking for a model that has the largest screen, text and buttons. But if ease of use is most important to you, here are some options:

Jitterbug phones

“Jitterbug,” developed by GreatCalls and manufactured by Samsung, was introduced in 2006 and marketed as a simpler, easy-to-use cell phone aimed directly at the senior market. Service includes a live operator available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week who, if you want, will make calls for you from a phone list you have entered or help with directory assistance.

There are two Jitterbug phones, which can only be used with Jitterbug call plans, but no contract is required. Monthly costs are low, starting at $10, but so is the amount of minutes included. The phones cost about $147.

Both have a padded earpiece, which is suppose to reduce outside noise, provide louder volume for better sound quality, and are hearing aid compatible.

Jitterbug Dial (left) features large text on the screen and large, backlight buttons. There are YES and NO buttons for simple actions that allow you to respond to questions or commands displayed on the screen such as Call? (Yes). The phone has a regular keypad with large numbers.

Jitterbug OneTouch (right) has three buttons instead of a key pad. Operator and 911 are standard buttons. For the third button, you can choose to have it say Friend, Home, Tow, or Work and program in the appropriate phone number. This phone also features the YES and NO buttons.

As part of the service plan, you get a secure Jitterbug Web page where you can store and update your phone list and phone features. It is from this phone list that the Jitterbug operator makes your calls. Or Jitterbug will update your phone list for you.

Learn more about the Jitterbug phone.

Find stores in Minnesota that sell Jitterbug.

Verizon phones

Verizon Wireless also has a phone aimed at seniors — Verizon Wireless Coupe, which it packages with a Nationwide 65 Plus calling plan.

The keys and text on the screen are not as big as those on the Jitterbug but they are larger than a standard cell phone. You can adjust the dialing font for a larger size, but you have to do it manually using screen commands in the menu.

Just below the two-inch screen are three red buttons marked “I,” “C,” and “E” (for “in case of emergency”). These are speed-dial keys that are program. The downside is you will have to remember what number you’ve assigned to which key. There's a dedicated 911 button.

The ICE buttons could be confusing because the “I” key is under the word “menu” on the screen, which could lead to peopleto think that they should push that key to access the menu. The poorly labeled buttons just below the ICE keys are actually the menu buttons. And the cursor pad may be too small for larger fingers.

With a two-year contract, the phone is only $19.95.

There is not much information on Verizon’s Website about this phone, so you might want to check it out at a Verizon store.

Verizon markets another easy-to-use phone, the LC Migo. The phone has a simplified keypad that allows you to program in four numbers and a dedicated emergency key. It does not have voice mail or text messaging. It is hearing aide compatible and has a speaker phone. Some reviewers have commented that the ringer is too quiet, and, with only four numbers to call, this phone is perhaps too simple.

More information on the Migo.

Wherify phones

Wherifone GPS Locator Phone is marketed specifically for children and seniors and those who want to be able to track their locations.

The phone has a GPS-based technology locator system so the phone and the user can be tracked, if the phone is on, either on the Wherify Web site or by using another cell phone (you get the approximate street address as a text message).

You can use the phone to find out your location, but you won’t find out the results immediately. You press the Locate button and then call someone who needs to check the Wherifone Website to find your location. Or you can call the Wherify Customer Service number and someone will call you back within two hours (which may be a little long if you are lost). Wherify says the “call back” is faster after business hours. In any case, the locator works best if someone other than you is tracking your location.

When you log on to the Website, you’re presented with a choice of locating the phone just once or locating it a set number of times every few minutes with the “Breadcrumb” function. After a location is established, you get a map showing the phone’s location.

Other than the GPS function, this phone has limited features. There are only five buttons. One is preprogrammed to SOS/911. One needs to be used for the Locate request. That leaves only three that can be preprogrammed to speed-dial numbers. One of those buttons can be used to activate a phonebook which holds an additional 20 numbers.

One disadvantage of the phone is that you can only call numbers that have been pre-programmed into the device and you need to be able to log on to the Wherifone Website to activate buttons and enter your phone numbers. Anyone can call you but there is no voice mail or missed calls information.

Estimated retail price is $99.95 and service plans start at $19.95. You get 60 units per month for that price. One location request equals one unit, as does one minute of talk time.

The coverage area is limited in Minnesota; mainly in the central and south/southeast portion of the state. The phone is sold at Toys R Us, Costco, Sharper Image and may be available at Walmart.

Learn more on the Wherify Web site.

Another phone that has a locator feature is the OneTouchTM MobilPalTM Wireless Cell Phone + GPS, which manufacturer Clayton Communications says will be out sometime in 2008.