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GreatCall Review

Producers of Jitterbug Phone and 5Star Urgent Response

This GreatCall review looks at the cell phone company that produces the Jitterbug easy to use phone, the 5Star Urgent Response device, and mobile apps and services designed to help keep you safe, healthy and connected. So they’re a little more interesting than your typical cell phone company and not just a producer of cell phones for seniors and baby boomers. Even the founders of the company are worth noting: Martin Cooper is credited with inventing the cell phone in 1973. He and his wife Arlene Harris started the company in 2006.

GreatCall Coverage

When GreatCall first launched the first versions of the Jitterbug phone, the network coverage was patched together through a bunch of different providers. However a couple of years ago, they switched to the Verizon network in order to provide a better experience. Verizon is often considered to have the best coverage in the USA, however, before you buy a Jitterbug phone or device, you should go ahead a check the coverage in your area.

The GreatCall coverage page on their website shows the map you see above, however you may want to go to Verizon’s site to check the local coverage available in your area.

Phone Plans

GreatCall no-contract phone plans start at 14.99 per month for 50 minutes a month and 19.99 for 100 minutes a month. These plans are okay if you just want to use the phone for emergency or occasional use.

The Premium Plan costs 39.99 a month and gives your 400 anytime minutes and unlimited nights (7 pm to 6 am) and weekends. You also get free access to additional service such as their Live Nurse and a Daily Health and Wellness call. If you need more daytime minutes, you can buy additional minute bundles or go with their Simply Unlimited plan for 79.99 per month.

Phones and Devices

GreatCall actually offers two phones, the Jitterbug J easy-to-use phone, and the Samsung R100 standard cell phone. The same plans and services are available with both phones.

Jitterbug J Phone

The Jitterbug J easy to use phone has a large bright screen, large buttons and a loud speaker. Still, there are a few other phones with large buttons and big screens around such as the Doro phone from Consumer Cellular. What makes the Jitterbug pretty unique is the “Yes or No” user interface. All the tasks for the phone are phrased as question can anser by pressing the Yes or No button. For example, if you bring up a phone number, the screen will say “Dial?”, and you can press “Yes” to dial, or press “No” to return to the previous screen. The phone comes in two colors, graphite and red.

Samsung R100 Phone

The Samsung R100 is a basic open-face or candy-bar style phone that doesn’t have any special physical features other than the fact that it looks like a normal phone rather than a special phone. However, the phone does share the same Yes or No user interface, making it easier to use than a regular cell phone.

5Star Urgent Response Device

The 5Star Urgent Response Device is like a "Personal On-Star" for your life. The device allows you to connect to US-based "certified response agents" at the touch of a button. These agents stay on the line until you’ve received the help you need. The service has your profile to help give your personalized attention. These agents can call 911, but you can also get 911 directly from the device as well by pressing and holding the button for five seconds.

If you don’t want to carry around another device in addition to a cell phone, you don’t have to do that. The Urgent Response service is just one of the additional services that you can transform your Jitterbug to a personal safety device with the 5Star Urgent Response App.

Additional Services and Apps

GreatCall offers a number of additional services which they call “apps” in reference to the apps that you get on iPhones and other Smart Phones. In fact, they actually produce a separate free app called MedCoach for those smartphones. However, their main focus, for now, is on the apps that you can add to your Jitterbug phone. Some of these apps are free, but most have a small monthly fee.

Some of the notable apps include LiveNurse, a 24-hour service that offers live nursing advice. This service is included in the Urgent Response service, but can also be added separately if you don’t need to emergency response features. Other health and safety apps include the Daily Check-in call and the Medication Reminder services. You can see a full list of Jitterbug apps here.

Smartphone Apps

The MedCoach app for iPhones and Android smart phones help you maintain your medication and supplement schedule. The app delivers reminders to your phone and even connects you to your pharmacy for refill. As noted above, the 5Star app is also now available on the iPhone and coming soon to Android phones as well.

This may indicate that GreatCall is moving in the direction of offering more of its services on the iPhone and Android platforms. However, the Jitterbug and R100 phones still offer a simple and easy way to stay connected and safe.

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