Verizon launches simple "Wireless Coupe" flip

by Chris Ziegler, posted Sep 4th 2007 at 4:29PM

When's the last time you heard of a carrier trumpeting that one of its handsets scored the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal? Yeah, we can't remember either -- but it speaks volumes about the kinds of character's Verizon's "Wireless Coupe" clamshell is geared toward, we reckon. Three big, red buttons directly below the display together spell "ICE" -- In Case of Emergency -- giving easy one-touch access to 911 plus a couple folks that might like to know if you're in trouble, while extra-large menu fonts should make navigation dead simple. No Bluetooth or camera here, but you do get an external display, phone book for 500 contacts, and a speakerphone. To quote Verizon, "smooth and simple" is the name of the game here, though we have no idea where "Wireless Coupe" is coming from. Straight outta left field, we tell ya. Anyway, grab 'er now for $20 on contract.

Filed under: Handsets, Verizon Wireless, 1xRTT, CDMA

Tags: clamshell, coupe, flip, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw, wireless coupe, WirelessCoupe

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

elgee02 @ Sep 4th 2007 4:44PM

This phone is specifically designed (but not limited to) older folks who "just want a cell phone". It's affordable, extremely easy to use with big buttons and large on screen lettering, and of course convenient with the three ICE contact buttons.

Obviously this is not going to attract the tech junkie, but it wasn't designed to either. Old people will go apeshit over this.

Neutral

VZ Insider @ Sep 4th 2007 5:31PM

No doubt, I have yet to service a seasoned individual who had the high tech phone. A large percentage want ultra basic phones and VZ has filled in the gap.

Neutral

VZ Insider @ Sep 4th 2007 5:32PM

This also goes with their new 65 plan for seniors.

Highly Ranked

Andy @ Sep 4th 2007 6:00PM

This is vzw's answer to the "Jitter-Bug" phone that is sweeping Retirement Homes all over the country

Neutral

Joe @ Sep 5th 2007 3:54AM

Anyone know the manufacturer? UTStarcom?

Neutral

Sirocco @ Sep 5th 2007 12:24PM

elgee02, you say "specifically designed (but not limited to) older folks who "just want a cell phone." How about ANYbody who just wants a cell phone, including YOUNGER folks who CAN'T AFFORD THE PRICEY MODELS, or PARENTS WHO WANT PHONES FOR THEIR KIDS BUT DON'T WANT TO GO BANKRUPT DOING IT! Stop clinging to this ridiculous idea that only Silicon Valley technojunkies use cell phones! And please give up your other ridiculous assumption that every old person would be sporting the latest phone gizmo if only the keys or fonts were bigger. Because if that were the case, by the looks of it, I wouldn't exactly call the Coupe a "breakthrough".

Highly Ranked

elgee02 @ Sep 4th 2007 7:12PM

The amount of conclusions and assumptions you jumped to based of my previous is absolutely hilarious, and the fact you get so worked up over it too... thanks, there's my laugh of the day.

First off: Wether you like it or not, this phone WAS designed with older folks specifically in mind, however even though you did quote me on it you obviously looked over my "(but not limited too)", meaning anyone who wants the phone obviously can have it, and obviously not just old people will want this phone.

"Stop clinging to this ridiculous idea that only Silicon Valley technojunkies use cell phones! And please give up your other ridiculous assumption that every old person would be sporting the latest phone gizmo if only the keys or fonts were bigger."

How you came to this ridiculous assertion is especially beyond me. You clearly missed the part where I said part of the reason old folks (but not limited to, again) will like this phone is because it's affordable AND BASIC, as well as the large buttons and fonts.

Dude, I freakin SELL CELL PHONES, I know damn well what different types of customers want and probably a hell of a lot more than you do.

I ask you to please fully read my posts and make sure you completely comprehend them before jumping to wild conclusions about my assumptions and making yourself look foolish in the process... for your own good.

Thank you, and have a wonderful day :-)

Neutral

Mike @ Sep 4th 2007 8:27PM

Heh, I got my laugh in too... I was gonna reply, but elgee02 pretty much summed it up. Though I will add this:

1) Cell phones (at least where I sell them) aren't that expensive, even for ones that have a lot of functionality. Can you afford about $40? How about those "new-fangled" RAZRs that are made just for us "technojunkies"? They're free.

2) It's ironic that I read about this: while I've always had customers (usually middle-aged to seniors) who want "just a phone, nothing fancy." And just 3 days ago, I had a customer specifically ask me for a phone with big buttons and a big font for the screen. Now that I see this, I think, "wow, I guess Verizon's aware that that's a popular demand."

Neutral

cromag9 @ Sep 4th 2007 9:14PM

The last 3 phones I've got for my wife and daugters (9 handsets in 3 groups 2 years apart each) have been free (i.e. included with contract).
How much more affordable do you need?

Neutral

Sirocco @ Sep 5th 2007 12:42PM

elgee02, It wasn�t designed with �older folks� in mind. I mean, just how far can you take this trend towards miniaturization? Given the fact that the trend for the average human hand to get bigger doesn�t exactly agree with the trend to miniaturize buttons and fonts, and the numerous and steady stream of complaints about fonts and buttons being too small, it only makes sense that these 2 trends should at least �converge�. The AGE of the consumer isn�t the design issue, and the product website at Verizon doesn�t say anything about it�s being suitable for any particular age group, because it�s obviously suitable for ANY age group. In fact, buttons and fonts must be scaled to fit human beings, rather than some �geekboy� fantasy that nothing can be too small because, clearly, there is a practical limit to this philosophy.

Neutral

mongo @ Sep 6th 2007 10:09PM

For one of the younger generation I would get this phone. I recently upgraded from an old LG VX3200 to a "new" and "better" Samsung SCH-U740 from verizon using a NE2 credit. I was much happier with my old phone that was tri-mode. I had much longer battery life with the LG (I have to charge the Samsung ever 2 days) and better reception with the LG phone and I didn't need a special adapter for my hands free headset! Very annoying!!!! I'm considering returning the Samsung for this simple phone since all I really use it for is calling and all I want in an upgrade is a smaller size than what I had with the LG. Sometimes keeping it simple is better even for the young!!!!

Neutral

Sirocco @ Sep 6th 2007 11:28PM

For anybody who can�t use a typical cell phone because of some physical handicap, the Coupe does not provide a meaningful advantage, since, in absolute terms, the keys are still tiny (even if they are �relatively� bigger than other cell phone buttons). Long story short, the coupe is designed for ANYBODY who wants a cheap phone with an attractive form factor, which the Coupe seems to be. If you wanted to force the issue, it�s designed for anybody who wants a cheap phone, which is a matter of economy, not age.

Neutral

mongo @ Sep 7th 2007 1:49AM

Still, with all of the frivolous functionality missing from this phone one would have hoped for better battery performance. Then it would have been truly a compelling tradeoff of extra frivolous functionality vs. true telephone functionality.

Neutral

randomwirelessuser @ Sep 23rd 2007 9:07PM

Sirocco said, "For anybody who can�t use a typical cell phone because of some physical handicap, the Coupe does not provide a meaningful advantage, since, in absolute terms, the keys are still tiny (even if they are �relatively� bigger than other cell phone buttons)."

It's not all about key size. And if it doesn't provide an advantage, how do you explain the additional features of larger fonts, color coded inputs, hearing aid capability, and ICE buttons? I would say someone with a physical or visual handicap would benefit from those features. Creating a device centered around certain benefits directly targets specific populations and gives them advantages. If VZW wanted to create a phone targeting people who want "cheap", then they wouldn't have expended the effort to ADD features.

Neutral

Don Cramer @ Nov 12th 2007 11:24PM

The keyboard on this device looks similar in size to the one on my Motorola W315. Take a long look at the Jitterbug, which is FAR more useable for someone with unsteady hands!! I agree with the technogeeks' tendency to make devices suitable for pixie-sized people.