We have talked about kid phones, and yes, they are hot, but handsets for older users are also becoming more numerous. Take Jitterbug, an MVNO running over Sprint's network and run by GreatCall, a company founded by two older wireless comm veterans. The two existing Jitterbug handsets feature large keypads, clear screens, a larger form factor and simplified interface.

While this isn't new territory--Japan's TuKa handset has been around for a bit for example--it is one that is gaining traction as handset manufacturers look at an aging user base in many important markets (Japan, China Europe, US) and operators look for new revenue sources.

The big-button-bright-screen phenomenon can't be the only solution, however. The next generation of consumer who move into their senior years will have had mobiles all their adult lives practically, and will have come to require certain high-end functions as well as a sense of style. They won't want to be seen carrying a plain, grey phone that looks like a child's toy. Future devices for aging users will need to be much more intelligently assistive, sensing user needs based on context. And they will need to be more secure and reliable--it is just as likely my handset 10 or 20 years from now will be my link to my doctor or my most important point social interface as it will be for quality voice calls.