Senior adults grew up watching futuristic films that involved teleportation and 3D holograms. Although we have struggled to apparate people to a remote location, video calling has become a reality.
There are numerous ways a grandparent can connect with their loved ones. You can use an app (like Skype) or buy a dedicated device just for this purpose. Today we will talk about "Four Amazing Video Call Devices a Grandparent will ever need."
Nancy, 65, has tried various video calling devices over the years and will help us decide what we should look for when buying one.
Let's get started!
Table of Contents
Designed by Facebook, this device tops our list for the best video calling devices. It has many features and yet, is simple enough to use.
It's robust and solid. You can even put it on a desk, and it would function as a picture frame.
Nancy has even linked her Instagram account to Portal.
She enjoys the slideshow of her family pictures straight on the device.
Now, Facebook is not known to provide superb privacy to its users. But this device passed the privacy tests we conducted.
It has a physical shutter on the camera. For peace of mind, you can simply cover the camera lens with the ease of a finger-slide.
And Facebook does not collect personalized data from the device. It is truly a remarkable initiative.
Facebook cannot see or access any video calls made through the Portal, thanks to the E2EE security.
Talking about the quality of video calls on this device, it tops every other device on this list. With a 12 megapixels camera built with a wide field of view, you will get a great video calling experience.
All you need is a strong Internet connection.
And with so many microphones, people from the other side of the screen will hear you loud and clear. No need to yell on video calls anymore!
What makes Facebook Portal even more winsome is Alexa.
Yes, you can use the old-age-friendly Alexa in Facebook Portal.
Listen to your favorite podcast on Spotify, call your children, or even check out the new lasagna recipe – by simply asking Alexa.
"Alexa, tune in to my favorite radio stations."
Venerables love using Facebook Portal for so many reasons. Its build quality, video chat quality, better privacy, security, and price.
It costs less than the majority of video calling devices out there.
A good, handy Portal Go costs around $199.
With a 10-inch display, it is a go-to choice for most.
If you want a larger HD screen (15.6"), Facebook offers Portal+ at $349. It will not look like a picture frame. But rather a big video calling TV straight from the 70s.
You can browse all Portal devices here.
Designed for people from the "Silent Generation."
That's the term for people born between 1928 to 1945.
There isn't a more easy-to-use device available in the market. At least that's how the company advertises the product.
The interface is designed for people with poor eyesight or impaired hearing.
GrandPad markets its device for people over the age of 75. And it has helped many grandparents to stay in touch with their family and friends.
It features a bright display that can work with dry fingers, which is common in old age. And it also comes with a stylus if you like to use one.
The interface does not require any scrolling. Most great-grandparents do not like to scroll. GrandPad lets users swipe between video calling and other features with ease.
Children can even manage the contacts stored in the device straight from their own smartphones. All they have to do is install the GrandPad app on their phone, and voila.
GrandPad even comes with various video games to help pass the time and exercise the old nerves in the brain.
You don't even need a wifi connection to stay connected. GrandPad comes with a built-in 4G connection.
The super-simplified menu is the bonus even for the most techno-phobic seniors out there.
GrandPad offers some great solutions that none other devices offer in its segment. However, for many users, it is overpriced and unreasonable.
GrandPad comes with a subscription-only system. This means you have to pay $50/month (rather than a one-time charge) to use it.
Advertised as a device for people with "physical, cognitive or mobility disabilities," Konnekt Videophone sounds like a device straight from a robot scientist's den.
Made with pure compassion, Konnekt Videophone is even easier to use than the GrandPad. You cannot play games or browse the Internet with it.
Video calling is the only feature this device offers.
You can install the device on the wall.
And after installation, you will see big buttons with names labeled on them.
Once you press a button, Konnekt will connect you with the person you called. The big buttons are customizable.
Konnekt also offers "sequence calling," which can save you from "answering machine anxiety."
What sequence calling means is that after pressing the "big button" to call the recipient, Konnekt will call on their Skype application. If they do not pick up, Konnekt will retry on their phone numbers.
You don't have to press the buttons again and again.
Nancy found this feature extremely useful for her aunt (82), as she finds it hard to touch a screen with her Parkinson.
Konnekt only accepts phone calls from the saved contacts. It protects the great-grandparents from telemarketing and spam calls.
As mentioned, Konnekt works seamlessly with Skype. It's a stripped-down and simplified video calling device for the super-elderlies and differently-abled folks.
It also works well for dementia and arthritis patients.
Derek bought one for her mother (94 years old), and he is happy. In his own words, he found her mother better and more content after they got her the videophone.
For the elderly over 75, Konnect is an excellent choice. However, some of the other options in this list can provide more value at a much lower price.
We think it's a beautiful thing one can do for their parents to eliminate or reduce the feeling of isolation.
Konnekt does that amazingly. The only downside we found was its opacity with the pricing.
You can either buy one (around $1050) or get one on rent ($2 per day).
Either way, it is costly.
After buying the device, you get unlimited calls (even regular ones) for free. The support team is responsive. They will even come and install it for you.
A stripped-down version of Facebook Portal.
It looks like a 10-inch picture frame. It syncs with your family members, and they can share their pictures with you through the ViewClix app installed on their phones.
A magical picture frame straight from the books of JK Rowlings!
There are no buttons on the device. And you can only accept incoming calls.
Some users found it frustrating. But many others were relieved to be excused from using technology.
You will also get an external mic and a little remote control with the frame.
Grandparents can receive calls that they can answer to connect with the caller.
Family members need to have a ViewClix account to share their family photos to the fancy picture frame and call their parents or grandparents on it.
You can easily set up one on your kitchen island or on your bedside table.
The device is clean and straightforward. Pricing is similar to Facebook Portal.
With $199 plus the shipping fees, you can own a 10-inch ViewClix.
If you need it with a bigger screen (15-inch), it will cost $299.
ViewClix offers a 30-days moneyback guarantee, so if you think ViewClix is for you, give it a try.
It is cheaper than Facebook Portal and offers plenty of video call features. Their best upsell is Alexa.
The 8" screen and four in-built microphones ensure a good video calling experience. However, the mere 1-megapixel camera can sound ridiculous considering how far we've come in mobile camera technology.
The display is juggling-friendly. It is very robust and hard to crack or scratch.
You can even stream Amazon Photos, Music, YouTube, Netflix, or Prime video with the Echo Show.
Loved by many elders and kids alike, Amazon Echo Show is definitely a great device on the list. It offers features beyond video calls. Or at least what some of their users claim.
However, it is more complicated to use compared to other devices in this segment. It makes an excellent choice for elders between 50-60.
It is also pretty cheap. You can get one with free one-day delivery from Amazon at just $100.
It gets to an even cheaper rate during Amazon sales or Christmas seasons.
If you want an even cheaper alternative, we would suggest Echo Show 5, 2021 edition.
It is smaller but more convenient and portable. Some might even enjoy a smaller screen.
However, the bulky design and user interface bathed with annoying adverts is not for everyone.
Not to mention, you need an Amazon account to use this device.
Bthere is not a video calling device, per se, but a highly recommended alternative that can turn your tablet or smartphone into an intelligent video calling device.
Its uncluttered design and clean interface are loved by all.
It is superior when it comes to quality, privacy, security, and ease of use.
You will never see an advert, ever. The calls are easy to make and receive. The interface is smooth and straightforward. There is 24x7 connectivity which ensures the wellbeings of a grandparent. You can even set up a personal circle in the app to only allow a selected group of people to participate in fun family video parties.
Bthere offers some of the most outstanding features, like an advanced AI-powered automatic-answering that works seamlessly.
And you don't even need to spend thriftily on devices to get connected with your grandparents.
Have a look at Bthere and other innovative apps you can install to get connected with your parents and grandparents.
These are good, but just not good enough to make a cut in our Four Senior-Friendly Video Communication Devices a Grandparent will ever need" list.
It is similar to Facebook Portal. The 7-inch device syncs with your Android mobile phone.
Google Nest Hub also works like a picture frame, displaying your Google Photos as a slideshow.
It is a pretty decent device. Although, there is a catch. There is no camera on Google Nest Hub whatsoever. So you cannot use it as a video calling device or a security camera when you're away.
Available at $100+
It could have been a smart video calling device option. But unfortunately, Amazon has discontinued the manufacturing and support for this device.
It used to be an intelligent bedside alarm clock with voice control assistance and video calling.
You can still purchase one on eBay. But at $130, there are definitely some better alternatives.
Starts at $300 and can go as high as $2,700.
iPad is used by many families to connect with their wisest and oldest members.
However, there are many better and smoother alternatives available. Apple's marketing game is just overwhelming to other brands.
iPad offers Facetime, and many other video calling apps like these can be installed directly on the Apple tablet.
A cheaper and universal solution for anyone who needs a bigger screen. Android tablets offer a plethora of features imaginable on an android device.
For tech-savvy seniors, tablets are a better solution. For everyone else their age, there are better ways to connect with others.
We have talked about various affordable and practical tablets for the golden-agers here. If you would rather buy a tablet than a dedicated video calling device, be sure to check the link.
The easiest one has to be ViewClix. There are no physical buttons or taps on the device. It is a magical photo frame that requires little effort on installation.
The most accessible two-way calling device is Konnekt Videophone. However, it can be costly for some families.
Bthere.care offers everything you will ever need to connect with your loved ones safely and soundly, without facing much technology.
Zoom video conferencing and Skype has topped among its competitors with many features. A close second is Google Meets (formerly Hangouts).
Although these are not devices in conventional terms, they offer what is sufficient for most people.
Bthere.care is relatively new but offers fabulous facilities and great privacy. You can install the app directly on your phone or tablet.
There are various ways to connect with others. We advise on staying connected, especially in this age and day. With digital advancements, it is easy to lose touch with anyone. But the elderly do not need to suffer.
They need much-deserved care and love. Be there for them.
There are devices made just for this purpose. Some are great, while others are trying. It's all about personal preferences.
When it comes to devices, we loved Facebook Portal. But you can also use the phone or tablet you already own as your smart video calling device.
Bthere does that for you. It is an application created to make lives simpler and less lonely for the elderly. Its compassion reflects on the product.
Read more about the Bthere application here, and make sure to share this article with your peers and help a grandparent sitting lonely somewhere.
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