While new technologies allow designers to pack phones with features and cool twists, sometimes basic functionality is much preferred. This is specially true for older people who may have deteriorated vision.
The “Sens†phone by designer Takumi Yoshida targets this elderly crowd, and those with vision problems. Sens sports tactile keys that are easily distinguishable, even by the blind.
The nearly blind will benefit from the lighted sides that help convey different alert messages.
Check out more phones for seniors:
Phones for Elderly (Part 4)
The Sens Phone
Trend Themes
1. Basic Functionality - There is a trend towards designing phones with basic functionality to cater to the needs of elderly and visually impaired individuals.
2. Tactile Keys - The use of tactile keys in phone design is a growing trend to make phones more accessible for elderly and visually impaired users.
3. Lighted Alerts - The inclusion of lighted sides to convey different alert messages is an emerging trend in phone design for the visually impaired.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - The telecommunications industry can explore opportunities to develop phones with basic functionality and features that cater to the needs of elderly and visually impaired consumers.
2. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry has a disruptive innovation opportunity to create phones with tactile keys that provide enhanced accessibility for elderly and visually impaired individuals.
3. Assistive Technology - The assistive technology industry can leverage the trend of incorporating lighted alerts in phone design to develop innovative solutions for the visually impaired population.