With a saturated market today in mobile we have never had a better choice when it comes to picking up a smartphone at any price-point. All this is well and good but when it comes to smartphones for the older generation we have problems. The older generation like things simple and with the majority of today’s phones they are convoluted in my opinion leaving it a difficult task for the older generation to find their way through the menus and so on..
Doro would be a brand most people are familiar with and recently Nokia have released some devices that aim to either detox the overuse of phones or give older people a chance to get familiar with feature phones emporia does this too and is dedicated to give these people an option in many form factors but with ease of use.
I feel that more and more of the older generation want to get into the connected world though as mentioned above the typical smartphone is just to complicated for them and one look at one and they put it down this is where this company differs and will offer people to migrate to a smartphone with ease and there is several levels to pick from which then enables the user to move up a gear or two once they become familiar and simplicity is a key factor here for that to serve its purpose. Today we take a first look and walk through the UI on this device and its features and we will be testing it out over the coming weeks so feel free to show your family or friends this new entrant to the Irish market and if you have any questions feel free to ask as always and we will gladly answer.
The need to communicate does not lessen with age. If anything, older people need more communication with family, friends, support services and others. As modern technology continues to evolve, many retirees find themselves in danger of being left behind or even isolated by difficult technology.
emporia is delighted to today announce four new state-of-the-art 4G devices to the UK market that respond to this demographic’s needs, by offering connectivity in the form of simple and easy-to-use phones.
The new quad announcement sees one new smartphone, two feature phones, and a touch screen hybrid feature phone join the company’s portfolio of easy-to-use devices for the growing number of retirees. “We put ease of use first, because that’s what senior citizens want. There are still millions of people who type and don’t want to swipe, so we’re staying true to our philosophy and continuing to offer the popular feature phones in addition to the smartphones,” says Eveline Pupeter, owner and CEO of emporia telecom.
The new 4G VoLTE-compatible devices are available now through emporia’s UK distributor; Eurostar Global. The partnership started earlier this year when emporia launched in the UK market, and is strengthened with the addition of the four new devices in the distributor’s growing profile.
Millington says: “There are huge opportunities within the UK retiree category to provide handsets that mirror the needs of the users, at an accessible price point. Not one user in this demographic is the same when they reach retirement at 66. Quite simply, this means those in this demographic need mobile phones that give them each the ability to communicate easily with family and friends. I’m delighted to introduce these four new devices to retail and wholesale customers across the UK through our partnership with Eurostar Global, as I’m confident they fully understand our users and mission.”
Steve Hankey, Head of Commercial and Vendor Management at Eurostar Global adds: “An ageing global population has lead to a clearly growing market, where seniors are often left isolated and overwhelmed by technology. Eurostar Global is looking forward to being part of the solution by working closely with emporia to bring its excellent portfolio of products to UK consumers. This portfolio expansion will enable us to offer even more suitable devices to retirees around the UK.”
All four new handsets feature 4G and are VoLTE compatible, providing better connectivity and coverage, but also a crucial additional benefit for many of the retiree users; better sound quality on voice calls.
UK and Ireland MD Chris Millington comments: “4G and VoLTE are essential for us to offer this demographic the best in sound in their handsets as the technology allows us to push much wider spectrums of the call to the user and coupled with extra loud sound, this is the perfect combination for addressing age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). Ultimately, it also strengthens the senior proposition for mobile networks as our phones with VoLTE fulfil the technological requirements of the operators so that they can leverage their network connectivity.”
emporiaSMART.3mini is an easy-to-use smartphone with a stylish compact size, that fulfils all the main requirements of a smartphone but with a tailored, easy-to-use interface. Key features include: 8mp and 5mp cameras, long battery life, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The 4.95-inch touchscreen has a large, clear screen for users to navigate easily and read from. This new smartphone is built with the end user in mind with; an intuitive interface, dust and splash-proofing exterior (IP54), hearing aid-compatibility, acoustic amplification, and an emergency call button.
The emporiaSMART.3mini comes with a unique training book designed to help users get the most from their smartphone, and at their own pace. It offers a point of reference so that they can independently learn more about their device without relying on family, friends or mobile stores.
SRP: £150
emporiaTOUCHsmart is a clever combination (or hybrid) of the best elements of a smartphone and feature phone. As one of the smartest clamshell phones on the market, it is operated by touchscreen but also has a well-spaced keypad for the best of both worlds. The device has a dedicated WhatsApp button for direct access to the popular messaging app. Like all emporia phones, it also has an emergency assistance call function, camera, radio and torch, and is dust and splash-proof thanks to its nano-coating (IP54).
SRP: £150
emporiaACTIVE is emporia’s latest bar phone. It has extra-large, illuminated keys, a large display with easy to read text and the optional high contrast. It is hearing aid compatible and has an emergency call function, a camera, and an alarm clock. This feature phone is ideal for users who have no need for smart features like the internet or WhatsApp, but do require a device with practical applications, geared towards their hearing and dexterity abilities.
SRP: £90
emporiaACTIVEglam is a clamshell, or flip, device, for users who are looking for a stylish yet simple to use feature phone. Like the emporiaACTIVE, the ACTIVEglam also runs on the AndroidGo operating system and offers the same essential features like illuminated keys, emergency call function, hearing aid compatibility and a camera; in a compact and secure design.
SRP: £100
Studies* commissioned by emporia have shown that older people want to retain independence in their lives – and this includes using the latest means of communication. “Retirees don’t want to have to ask someone how to send a photo via WhatsApp, email or SMS; they simply want to do it.”
“In our research, we found that more than 90% of those surveyed say that they value contact with relatives and friends. With the embedded WhatsApp button on our smart devices, they can be more involved in their families and friends’ lives – a simple picture share, or video call can strengthen that communication,” says Pupeter.
Millington adds: “For many in retirement, and facing retirement at the new state pension age of 66, they are taking daily decisions on spending and on the value they get from purchases. Their mobile phone is something they need to get maximum value from, not just in the cost of purchase, but in they way they can use it to do what they want. For many, who may have been given a device by someone else, the technology is not right for them and they will benefit from buying something which is designed specifically with them in mind.”
emporia is the European leader in easy-to-use devices for the growing number of retirees. Having recently appointed Chris Millington as UK and Ireland MD and officially launched in this market, these new feature and smartphones add to the portfolio of devices aimed at improving communication for this demographic in the form of a ‘simple to understand’ phone.
Austrian-based mobile phone and telecoms brand emporia has appointed Effective Distribution Ltd (EDL) in Ireland for distribution of all its retiree-focused handsets.
European mobile phone brand for retirees is now available to Irish retailers
The new distribution deal follows the leading European mobile phone brand’s expansion into the UK and Ireland markets at the start of 2020; bringing total number of operating countries for emporia to 32.
Chris Millington
Chris Millington, the UK and Ireland MD of emporia says: “This is an exciting time for emporia – we have ambitious goals in Ireland for this year to reach Irish seniors, and partnerships like this are crucial to our success and growth.”
“We’re proud to partner with EDL in the Irish market as they fully understand our audience and brand proposition, and I’m looking forward to a long-term partnership with Damian and the team. EDL are extremely credible in the retail channels and completely align with our strategy. They have the experience to expand our distribution territory and help drive sales for emporia in this key market. Their leading position will enable a greater number of retailers in Ireland to stock our range of corded and cordless phones, feature phones and smartphones, bringing connectivity and simplicity to retirees across the country,” adds Millington.
The new distribution partnership is effective immediately and will see emporia’s devices and phones now available to retailers in Ireland.
Damian Grant, MD of EDL says: “Being the distributor for emporia in Ireland is an honour. We’re delighted to be working with a brand with such heritage, popularity, and specialism in the retiree demographic. The range of telecoms products make a great addition to our expanding electrical products portfolio. We look forward to building emporia’s presence with retailers and customers in Ireland.”
