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| The use of smartphones remains a big challenge to older persons who take long to embrace new technology |
Technology is fast moving and has proved difficult for older persons in many developed countries to catch up with the latest trends.
Progression from most common handsets such as the Nokia 5110 and the Nokia series that included 1100, 1200; to the Samsung generation up to the smartphone age — which has given us iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Nokia Lumia and many others — has left older persons behind.
Indeed, if you are going to get someone in the over 60 range their first smartphone you might as well be prepared to offer tech support to them every now and then.
Smartphones are the new class of mobile phones that have multiple functions similar to those you might expect from a regular computer.
They are about the same size, shape and weight as a normal mobile phone.
But they’ve usually got a large amount of memory so that they can store and carry music, photographs, videos and other data files.
Smartphones can access e-mail and the web wherever you are, either through a portable 3G connection or through a wifi connection if one is available.
They have the ability to run applications, known as “apps”, which are computer programmes that run on your phone.
Apps can provide a wide range of functions, from word processors to games and foreign language translators.
It’s almost like having a fully functional computer in your pocket.
Back in the day, cellphones used to come with a demo function meant to make it easy for first timers to use its features; that is now rare on today’s mobile phones simply because there are far too many things the phones can do.
Today, indeed, older persons seem to prefer a physical keyboard compared to the on-screen key board.
Mr Patrick Mapuranga, Managing Director of P ‘n’ T Communications indicates that, “Most of our customers are young people, interested mainly with the WhatsApp platform, receiving news on the phone, and browsing various websites which is trendy today.
“On the other hand, older persons prefer the traditional way of receiving news through radio, TV and reading the newspapers.”
Sekuru Chikomo, a pensioner who resides in Marlborough affirms this: “I prefer to use my old phone. Its functions are easy to use. My daughter once brought me an iPhone which I gave to my grandson upon graduation.
“I was finding it difficult to punch the keys. You punch one key and many will appear.
“And sometimes the phone requires one to refresh it over and over again which to me needs someone who quickly understands the functions of the gadget.”
Mr Butler Mafirowanda, who worked in the transport sector before retiring, also prefers using older models.
“I have never used such phones but just by looking at them, I can tell that I will never be able to operate such complicated looking gadgets.”
Mbuya Shonganyika (63) of Mbare indicates that she used to follow new trends in cellphones.
She is using a Nokia Asha, but admits she is still battling to understand all its functions.
“Everything about cellphone technology is complicated. With my phone I can send WhatsApp messages and take pictures. My granddaughter shows me trendy phones that come in everyday and at my age I do not think I still have the energy to chase the latest gadgets and more so, to understand their functions.
“I would rather spend more time making sure that children under my care have food on the table.”
In Epworth, Mbuya Ropafadzo expresses something close to total hatred of these trendy phones.
She says, “Well I was never a fan of cellphones though I use one basically for my children to be able to contact me when they want to.
“What makes me hate these phones is that I see them as a major contributor to the destruction of social fabric in society.
“Young people no longer have time to greet the elders in society. They will be busy smiling and grinning on their own and one wonders what will be happening between them and their gadgets.
“Sometimes I feel as if I will be wasting my time talking to my grandchildren for they will be glued to their cellphones. No one talks to anyone in the home.”
Sekuru Ishewokunze feels that technology is unfriendly to the aged.
“We always play catch-up with modern technologies. We were born before computers and had to catch up with that development.
“Now these smartphones are all over and we have to catch up again and who knows what will be on the market even when some of us do finally bond with smartphones.”
Sekuru Ishewokunze, however, believes that generations born at the peak of technology will not find it difficult to cope with constant developments.
“A number of us have been finding it difficult to catch up. We still prefer the ancient way of short message services (sms).
‘‘Very few of us are well-versed with e-mails except probably those in school and only those who have been or are using computers at the workplace,” he says.
Mr Mapuranga notes that although old people prefer the physical key board, smartphones are better in that they come with a big screen to solve the issue of small print.
One can also adjust font size for those that have sight challenges. He further notes that a number of old people who buy smartphones are the “young at heart” as they want to keep in touch with latest happenings in the world.
He further points out that although young people buy smartphones, they do not maximise on their uses as they are only interested in owning the latest gadget without ever discovering the many things it can be used for.
Smartphones can do much more than WhatsApp and web browsing.
“Some of the uses of a smartphone include conducting banking services, video calling, group calls, sychronisation of contacts and sharing calendars and contacts among many other uses,” outlines Mr Mapuranga.
HelpAge chief executive officer Mr Toby Porter warns that, “By 2050, 80 percent of the world’s population over 60 will be living in developing countries.”
The growing numbers of persons aged 60 and above may mean that technology companies should start thinking of developing age-friendly technologies.
While it seems as though technology investors are uncertain about business opportunities relating to an aging population, some companies may have to look East and learn from Japan.
With its Raku Raku smartphone, Japan has already started targeting the senior citizens market probably due to the growing number of older persons in Asian countries.
The Raku Raku, meaning “comfortable” or “easy” in Japanese, is a good example of an age-friendly smartphone which comes with large app icons and text, and can even slow down a caller’s voice so that they can be understood better by older persons.
