This is such a great idea. Smartphones are so complex now, great initiative.

This seems like a great idea! Definitely brings down some barriers to using a modern smartphone, while still allowing access to all the great tech it brings. Excited to see this be used. Congrats on the launch.

An elegantly simple solution to an increasingly prevalent problem. I installed this this morning as a test and will be dropping this on to my mum's phone in the next few days. This is going to save some "tech support" for sure! I love the remote management option - very smart.

Maker

What an amazingly innovative product for a much underserved market. The world needs more simplification and this looks like a wonderful solution for the elderly.

Hi everyone! I'm George, founder of Chatsie.

There are no mobile phones on the market that my elderly mother can understand. Physical-button "featurephones" still use a menu system which was confusing on Nokias in 1998. Smartphones are far too complex for someone who just wants to make calls, open a couple of apps, and maybe read SMS messages occasionally.

So we made something better: a mobile interface which sits on any modern Android to make calls, texts and (if desired) app access simple, while hiding everything else.

The design philosophy was inspired by the original iPod: text-based menus which don't require the user to remember what any graphic icon means.

The "Chatsie Calls" and "Chatsie Texts" apps use plain English, like "Make me silent" instead of "Mute" and "Use loudspeaker" instead of "Speaker".

If the user needs help configuring their phone, a family member can offer remote support over the internet. Family members can access and change the Chatsie configuration on the web, using a temporary access code generated on the mobile.

We've included a "notification blocker" feature too: it blocks data to/from any apps which haven't been added to the Chatsie Menu shortcuts.

Google's security rules preclude combining calls, SMS and launcher (menu) features in the same Android app: you will need to install 4 Chatsie apps. We recommend that you install the apps (granting the necessary permissions) on the phone before handing to an older relative to use.

Chatsie is free for personal and family use. We're in discussion with manufacturers who will pay us to pre-install Chatsie on dedicated phones for the elderly (so users don't need to install Chatsie or grant permissions). Chatsie is free for you to set up yourself.

I'd be super grateful for your ideas about other features we could add - and any other feedback - below. Thank you!

-- George

This is an amazing way of making using the phone much more accessible for older people or people with disabilities. Innovative yet still simple.

This is really amazing and should go round. This is the accessibility product of [insert something amazing]. I'll make a print poster of this and share it with the elders at my local church.

super cool product can't wait to try with my grandparents :)