I'm looking for advice on a device to help me stay in touch with my elderly parents in Wisconsin. They don't have a phone, but they do have Wi-Fi at home. Ideally, I want something with a screen between 10 to 20 inches that allows me to call and talk to them easily. They won't be using any apps or a phone, so it should be straightforward enough for them to just answer the device and see me on a large screen. If needed, we can set up the device with my brother's phone or account. Any recommendations on devices that work over Wi-Fi, let me call them from my phone, and are senior-friendly? Tips on setting it up would also be appreciated!
8 Answers
You could also just go the traditional route with a laptop, a wired mouse, and Internet Explorer. Just email them the link for Zoom calls!
If you’re open to bigger screens, why not connect a 27" monitor to an iPhone with an HDMI to USB-C adapter? The iPhone could act as their camera for video calls while the monitor displays your face. Just keep in mind it might be a little tricky for them to set up initially.
The Google Nest Hub Max or an iPad would be solid choices depending on what you’re leaning towards. The Nest Hub Max is quite user-friendly after setup and allows for calls without hassle. Someone will just need to help them connect it to Wi-Fi and log in initially.
I’ll definitely check out the Hub Max! Thanks!
Just a thought, but Alexa works without a screen, right? Also, have you considered how they’d handle emergencies? Like, what if they need to dial 911? It’s a bit concerning they don’t have a phone.
There are some smart frames made for seniors that could work wonders! Check out ViewClix; you can start the video call from your side and it picks up automatically, making it super easy for your parents since they won’t have to do anything at all.
You might want to consider an Amazon Echo device. It's super simple—just connect it to Wi-Fi and you can drop in on them anytime. They won't need to press any buttons, which is a plus!
Definitely go for an iPad! A 13-inch model would work perfectly for video calls and it's super simple to set up with FaceTime.
Thank you!
An Android tablet running Google Meet would be an easy option for your parents if you’re okay with Google. If you're more on the Apple side, just grab an iPad and use FaceTime from your iPhone to call them. You won’t strictly need a phone number for setup, but having one could help if anything goes haywire in the future.
I do prefer Apple products.
It might be a bit challenging for them. I'll make sure to keep the steps simple. Thanks!