14 DAY TRIAL // On Wednesday, GreatCall, Inc. announced the availability of Jitterbug Touch 2, an entry-level smartphone running under Android and designed to fit the needs of people who are transitioning from a basic phone.
The new Jitterbug Touch 2 arrives on shelves with a customized user interface, is easy-to-use, and displays the main functions of the phone in a list format with large letters.
The handset’s homescreen is meant to enable access to applications and contacts fast, without the need to swipe through multiple screens and small icons.
Furthermore, the phone’s UI was designed so as to ensure that people understood what the various applications and functions of the device are meant for, with the browser function renamed to “Internet,” and with the voicemail icon replaced by the word “voicemail.”
According to GreatCall, changes such as these two, paired with the simple interface, deliver a more intuitive smartphone experience with the Jitterbug Touch 2, making it suitable for the audience of aging Americans.
"When we released the original Jitterbug Touch, we put it in the hands of our customers to learn firsthand how we could improve their smartphone experience," said Dean Williams, vice president of Technology at GreatCall.
"This customer feedback proved to be crucial in the development of this second generation phone, allowing us to see into the minds of our customers to determine what would add the most value and functionality for them."
The new smartphone packs a 4-inch touchscreen display, a stylish design, a full on-screen keyboard for fast typing, and Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system loaded on top.
Furthermore, it arrives on shelves with a 5-megapixel photo snapper on the back, a battery that can deliver up to 5.3 hours of talk time or up to 13 days of standby time, and 512 MB of RAM.
The Jitterbug Touch 2 also sports a usage meter, enabling users to see their minute, text, and data usage right on the screen. The mobile phone was announced with a price tag of $139.99 (€105), with no contracts and no cancellation fee, and can be seen on this page on its maker's website.