standalone videophone [SOLVED: answer = no]

[shengchieh]

I am looking for standalone videophone for my Mom.

The requirements are:

- much be useable for computer illiterate. I.e., press one button to
answer and one button to hang up. Even the address book is too
complicated (no kidding: she is 93+ years old) - we kids will do
the calling. Speed dial is a plus.
- at least 5"x7" screen and resolution good enough for lip-reading
(the display does not need to retina resolution, but good enough
for lip-reading).
- ability to limit receiving calls - restrict calls only from those
in address book (no spammer/scammer can call her - just relatives
and friends).
- has speakerphone with decent sound (my Mom wears hearing aids).
- use Skype, SIP, etc. We have Skype ID, but if needed we can
get something else.
- the videophone must be standalone - not a software on a computer

We kids will do the technical part of setting her up (i.e., creating
address book, limiting who can call her, etc).

I am aware of Videophone AiGuru SV1

https://www.amazon.com/Skype-Videophone ... B002RCM2SW

but two problems. The screen is too small and this model was
introduced in 2003. I believe there is another later model,
but it is still too ancient.

What is the latest status of standalone videophone?

If the videophone uses Android, can it be set up for computer
illiterates? If a Skype app is needed, can it be set up and
left as always on? Or it is easier to use a SIP videophone (We
kids can create all the accounts)?

Thank in advanced for your help.

Sheng-Chieh

p.s. We are also looking at CapTel as well as videophone.

[phd21]

Hi "shengchieh",

Do you mean an actual stand-alone physical videophone, or would a computer with videophone software work as well? If computer videophone is ok, then what operating system does her computer use.

The link you provided showed a lot of other stand-alone videophones, look for 4 stars and read user comments and descriptions.

[shengchieh]

I'll answer my own question. I asked in the microsoft skype forum.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/sky ... d2cd224ad6

There is no recent skype-only videophone (don't want old technology and screen is too small).

---- note to my siblings

I looked at stand-alone videophones on Amazon such as

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KY ... _qh_dp_hza
review 3.3/50
skype and contact do not work seamlessly
I tried to Skype with it, with the poor camera and slow
processor running, it just can not handle the data stream
and starts to cutout.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GVRSV88?psc=1
no review
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLG9FWE?psc=1
review 2.6/10
https://www.amazon.com/Yealink-SIP-T48G ... 0W4VK0KB18
review 3.6/72
no wifi; need USB wifi dongle
does not work w/ skype

Unfortunately they have either unacceptable review or do
not work well with Skype. The SIP part work okay, but I
only see blacklist, not whitelist. I don't want strangers
to be able to call Mom.

The best thing, I can think of, is to get Mom a Android
tablet, load Skype app from Google Play, connect aI looked at stand-alone videophones on Amazon such as

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KY ... _qh_dp_hza
review 3.3/50
skype and contact do not work seamlessly
I tried to Skype with it, with the poor camera and slow
processor running, it just can not handle the data stream
and starts to cutout.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GVRSV88?psc=1
no review
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLG9FWE?psc=1
review 2.6/10
https://www.amazon.com/Yealink-SIP-T48G ... 0W4VK0KB18
review 3.6/72
no wifi; need USB wifi dongle
does not work w/ skype

Unfortunately they have either unacceptable review or do
not work well with Skype. The SIP part work okay, but I
only see blacklist, not whitelist. I don't want strangers
to be able to call Mom.

The best thing, I can think of, is to get Mom a Android
tablet, load Skype app from Google Play, connect a camera
w/ microphone and speaker. The Skype app allow one to
restrict callers to those in the address book.

---- end note

In short, the answer is NO. tablet + camera + mic + speaker is probably the best solution.

Sheng-Chieh

[phd21]

Hi "shengchieh",

I came across another option that might work well for some people.

Amazon "Echo Show"
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Show ... 5RKEKJ32DX


Hope this helps ...