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Bill Gates is secretly, secretly using a Jitterbug phone.

Then again, Ballmer still screams through cups with strings attached.

Also, doesn't POTS still work when the power goes out?

Most cell phones have a built-in battery backup, which still works as long as the tower also has battery backup.

And elderly tend to stick with what they know, the learning curve from an old landline to a cellphone (even a dumb phone) could be too steep or daunting for the elderly, not to mention ergonomically difficult.

Here in the USA, both Verizon and AT&T offer cellular radios into which the subscriber plugs a POTS phone (source; source). (I haven't used them and can't speak for their quality, ability to handle extensions, or ability to run off batteries in a power outage.) In addition, GreatCall offers Jitterbug phones with large buttons and large display specifically for seniors.

How about a one-button waterproof cell phone?

I've read about phones where you program which number the phone calls, but I can't find any now. Maybe they are no longer sold.

But here's a phone that calls some sort of operator, who can then decide how to handle the situation. You need to pay a monthly fee for the operator but I think that's better for a 2-year-old than a phone that just dials 911.

http://www.greatcall.com/products/greatcall-splash

If you could find a 1-button programmable phone, and program it to call you, that might be ideal.

Ask and you shall receive!

There's the Jitterbug Touch 2. This is intended for seniors, but useful for kids. Big buttons and icons, limited functionality.

It doesn't do video calls, though.

How long until there is a "Jitterbug OS" for laptops & desktops? It looks like Jitterbug already has an Android smart phone, the Jitterbug Touch.

So you have either malware or a virus infecting your computer that you cannot get rid of, but we are to believe you have the technical prowess to hack this website.

The fix you are looking for is here http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Good luck with your hacking there dummy.

No, this kid doesn't need a desktop OS, he is clearly in the mobile generation.

Here you go.

Seriously, if people want computer functionality on phones, they're going to have to deal with the associated tradeoffs. A lot of people stick with feature phones for just this reason; I did too until recently. Nothing wrong with either choice as long as it comes from an informed decision.

OH! Or Jitterbug!!!

It's a good thing that was just ONE of the money red-flag raising permissions for this app. Even if he doesn't have a clue what "write access point name settings" means, he should know what " Services that cost you money: Directly call phone numbers and send SMS messages" means.

I also think it's pretty disingenuous to consider an "80 year old non-technologist" as the mass market. I think the mass market for smartphones is probably the under 65 crowd, and while no where near the average slashdot readers level of competency your average college age student is actually pretty well familiar with technology.

Besides I think they already made a phone specifically for 80 year olds: http://www.greatcall.com/

Try getting a phone without a camera, web, email, bullshit feature after BS feature.

Here you go: http://www.greatcall.com/Phones/

You can get your old fart phone here. If the interface is confusing, you can Dial “0” anytime to reach a friendly GreatCall Operator. Wow! And it's only USD 99, so the wife won't be mad and you don't have to take up another mortgage on that house.

If that was truem you woudn't acutally own any of those phones. Threa are better phones that are easy to use and get many times more time with their charge.

SO you are either:
A) Stupid
B) Lying.
C) Too old to know how to look things up.

300 hours standby:

http://www.greatcall.com/Phones/JitterbugGraphite/

You asked if their was a $30 Nokia that was unlocked. That answer is qualified yes.

I would say that this Nokia is probably simple enough for most people and maybe even your relative. I would say that it is simple as this minimal phone and costs a lot less.

You could program the address book for them so they don't have to look up numbers. I do not know your relative so I can not say for sure.

For your requirements you may really want to invest in this http://www.greatcall.com/Phones/JitterbugGraphite/

It does comes with a lot of special features for people that may need extra help like your relative.

The Jitterbug http://www.greatcall.com/Phones/JitterbugGraphite/ was created for just such people a number of years ago. It is a great phone that is actually practical, ie, no integrated note book, and a flip design to prevent accidental dialing on a phone that does not have a soft key lock. It is far more practical and you can actually see what number you dialed before hitting talk. It is no more difficult to use than any of today's touch tone phones.