Hop-on announces HOP1890, ChitterChatter for seniors
By Dusan Belic on Sunday, October 12th, 2008 at 12:33 PM PST In Devices
Low-cost mobile phone maker, Hop-on, announced yet another device – HOP1890. Touted as the ChitterChatter for seniors, this handset is available in two versions – one with dual-band 850/1900MHz radio for the U.S. market and the other one with cell phone radio working on 900/1800MHz bands for Europe.
The ChitterChatter phone provides a call center available 24/7 where operators can make calls, provide directory assistance and help with setup. With GPS/Enhanced Location-Based-Services the locator phone provides a unique and affordable way for seniors, or those with special medical needs, to stay connected and in contact with each other.
Other specs include a battery that powers the phone for up to 300 minutes of talk and up to 300 hours of standby time; large, bright screen with easy-to-read large text; big buttons and a dedicated panic button.
As for the GPS usage, don’t expect turn-by-turn navigation with the HOP1890. Rather, the GPS module is used to quickly identify the location of the device.
Commenting on the announcement, Hop-on’s CEO Peter Michaels said: “This is an affordable way for seniors to feel safe and confident. We need to take care of our elders and the ChitterChatter phone gives them the freedom to keep in touch without the burden of an expensive phone.”
Why is it that they haven’t announced the price of this phone? It would be very cool to have all this for a low cost, but call centers are expensive, so I doubt these phones will be cheap.
If there are seniors out there on a fixed income who can’t afford this, they should know that directory assistance is free from ANY phone via 1-800-FREE411.