UTStarcom ships CDM8630 'senior' phone

UTStarcom has launched a new phone targeted at seniors, the CDM8630. Befitting this audience, the phone has larger on-screen fonts, a clearly labelled keypad with larger buttons, and a special "In Case of Emergency" directory, where users can hold special contacts and personal information. There is even a unique 911 button, so that help can be called with minimal effort. TTY/TTD support aids deaf or hearing-impaired users.

Features are otherwise deliberately stripped-down, as demonstrated by the 262-color, 176x220 main LCD, and the monochrome external display. A highlighted power jack is meant to ensure charging is an obvious process. Two carriers now have the phone in their libraries: Alltel is charging $20 after a discount and a two-year contract, while Verizon is charging $50 without a discount, but under the same contract.