https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/flip-phone-sales-surging-folks-090114553.html
Title: "Flip phone sales are surging as folks seek connection without distraction;" USA Today article; 6/18/2024
From the article: "Another example is trying to park. You now need a smart phone even for street parking (meter's removed). Most parking garages now only accept the smart phone scan for entry. I recently had to walk 5 blocks from destination in order to find an old fashioned parking garage that accepted credit cards, or cash, or smart phones. This is discriminatory against disabled persons who may not be able to physically use a smart phone but can use a flip phone."
Comments on the article show that some (?many) seniors uncomfortable with handling smartphones are much happier with an old fashioned flip phone. The parking bit above really hit home: I live near a large metropolis but for various reasons, haven't driven myself there, hence no need for parking. A couple of weeks ago a friend drove me to an appointment there and there was NO parking available --like the article says -- without a smartphone. My friend could do it with her phone, but although I've been carrying a smart phone since shortly after they came out (older models), I don't think I could have managed this on my own.
PS: Not sure if "Product" is right category for this. Didn't see anything tech-related in the subject headings.
- give your location to your LOs if you get lost
- show you a map with directions so you can get back home
- voice-to-text for easier written communication
- allow you to FaceTime your grandkids
- give you a flashlight, a calculator, an alarm clock, the weather, etc
- allow you to remotely perform all sorts of convenient financial tasks
- etc etc etc
Distractions? Smart phones are literally the best invention ever (or is it the back-up camera in my car...)
This is the last generation of seniors who will be "uncomfortable" with technology. My 95-yr old Mom often expresses regret over not keeping up with it, but once smartphones (and towers and laptops and tablets) came on the scene, if you didn't use it every day and/or had someone present to help teach you (in the days before YouTube) then adoption wasn't going to happen easily, or at all.
They make it really easy
Don't know how wildly used that is but it's a really good idea, actually
As for the assumption that everyone has the ability to download parking apps etc and scan QR codes to access deals or menus or whatever - yeah, that does tick me off, those things should be available in addition to a real live person, no instead of.