At Doro we work closely with the people we develop our products for, constantly gathering input from our most valuable source of knowledge: the users themselves. One example is a collaboration with 60plus.se, a Swedish online community for people over the age of 60. Four men and women of different ages and mobile phone experience continuously test and review our latest models. The panel has in-depth knowledge of what seniors should consider when looking for an easy to use mobile phone.

All tests are carried out according to selected criteria touching mainly on four principle areas: user instructions, initial start up and settings, user-friendliness and proper function. This is followed by an overall assessment and phones that are considered worthy are awarded with the 60plus stamp of approval (shown right).

Our Seniors Panel is made up of:

Monica

Age: 68
Occupation: Active pensioner who manages a hostel.
Mobile phone experience: About 11 years.
Words of wisdom: If you can’t jump, crawl under!
My best mobile phone tip: As most regular mobile phones don’t offer sound that is adapted for people with hearing loss, send a text message.

Bernt-Erik

Age: 62
Occupation: 34 years as a technician at Swedish air force base; now prematurely pensioned due to work shortage.
Mobile phone experience: Lots.
Words of wisdom: Live what you preach.
My best mobile phone tip: Don’t buy a mobile phone from a salesperson that calls you over the phone. Go to the store instead, so you can look, touch and ask.

Carin

Age: 61
Occupation: Prematurely retired, formerly a supervisor and pantry chef.
Mobile phone experience: I’m now on my second mobile phone (for the last seven years) without a camera. I can only call. I can send text messages, but have trouble seeing the text; I can also use the alarm function and add my friends’ numbers to the list of contacts.
Words of wisdom: Take it a little easy, live in the ‘now’, learn!
My best mobile phone tip: Test different mobile phones and find one that suits your needs. Don’t buy an iPhone just because everyone has one; choose a phone with functions that you will actually use.

Bo

Age: 68
Occupation: High school teacher, now unfortunately retired.
Mobile phone experience: I have always been interested in the development of electronic devices suitable for people who, for example, have never owned a mobile phone.
Words of wisdom: You can learn anything, if only you try.
My best mobile phone tip: Don’t really have one, but I am accustomed to teaching other people how to use electric devices so ask me anything and I’ll find the answer.