Pantech recently announced the Pantech Ease, a new cellular device that is focuses on simple design and operates in two distinct modes, Easy mode and Advanced. The Easy mode (AT&T specifically mentions seniors) is designed to provide an uncluttered designed with a large menu, full keyboard and intuitive menus at a cheaper price point than some of the other fancier devices on the market. With larger fonts, simpler menus and bigger buttons, the Ease is may turn into the platform that AT&T uses to sell to seniors.
"Ease emphasizes our commitment to meeting the needs of all AT&T customers," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The first quick messaging phone targeted for simplicity seekers, it fulfills our goal to create a highly functional device for everyone – from children to great-grandparents."
"The seniors market remains a significant opportunity for the operators to expand their businesses. But as iGR’s research has found, the challenge is to provide a solution that meets the specific needs of the seniors with sufficient functions and capabilities yet is easy to use and intuitive, " said Iain Gillott, president of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "Our research has shown that seniors primarily want to make calls, to send and receive photos in text messages, to get driving directions and to read their email. And they want an attractive design that would make their family members envious – the Pantech Ease, with an easy-to-use interface developed collaboratively by AT&T and Pantech and attractive yet senior-friendly form factor, seems to address those needs squarely."
Ease will be available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com on June 20 for $69.99 (Pay $119.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. Two year service agreement and a minimum $20 messaging or combination of messaging and data plans required.)
