scholarly journals Engaging the disengaged: Examining the domestication of mobile telephony among older adults in Trans-Nzoia and Bungoma Counties in Western Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Leah Jerop Komen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Technology Design ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government

The world is growing older. Considering the increasing number of older adults, it is imperative to consider how technology design can meet the needs and wants of these important user groups. Mobile phones offer great potential in improving quality of life for older adults in areas of, healthcare, independent living, communication and reduced isolation. There have been numerous studies on technology design for older adults (Fisk, Rogers, Charness, Czaja, & Sharit, 2004), but much of the work has focused on indoor and stationary applications such as desktop computers (Zajicek & Brewster, 2004). Although older people need support beyond stationary situations inside and outside their homes (Goodman, Brewster, & Gray, 2004), limited number of mobile functions are used by older adults due to high cost associated with mobile phones (Lee: 2007). Conversely, Nimrod (2015), argues older people use mobile phones extensively but little is known about relevant domestication processes involved and the extent to which older adults adopt and use mobile phones. This study interviewed 40 older retired civil servants aged 60 years and above in Western Kenya. Using domestication theory, this study examined the appropriation (Possession and ownership), Objectification (meaning and symbols), incorporation of mobile phones in older people’s everyday life and conversion (unintended uses) process of the domestication of mobile technology by the said group. Findings showed that mobile phones both enhanced closeness with their children and isolated them from them too. Majority felt mobile phones had become their ‘extended family members’ bringing the news of the world to them via mobile phone calls and texts. However, the small font size of texts and the fact that phones were getting smaller in size made it difficult to use. Their favourite mobile phone application was the mobile money locally dubbed Mpesa as they could now receive cash transfers from the government. Key words: older adults, mpesa, isolation, connection, e-inclusion, domestication, Kenya

scholarly journals Attitudes of older mobile phone users towards mobile phones

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Vicente ◽  
Inês Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Using Data

AbstractResearch on mobile technology adoption has focused predominantly on young adults, and little attention has been paid to older people. But with rapidly aging populations in most developed countries, and evidence from many studies that older adults are as capable of adopting and using mobile technology as everybody else, the academic, business and technology industry worlds are devoting more attention to this group. Research has already demonstrated that older people differ from young people in their perceptions, preferences and usage of mobile technology, but there are also differences within the older adults group regarding mobile technology adoption. Using data from a mobile phone survey, this study identifies segments of mobile phone users among older adults based on their attitudes towards mobile phones, and describes the underlying differences between these segments in terms of key values towards mobile phone communications, mobile phone use, and socio-demographics. The analysis led to the identification of three distinct segments, designated as “Apathetic”, “Social and hedonic” and “Busy and active”.

scholarly journals Research on the Use of Mobile Devices and Headphones on Pedestrian Crossings—Pilot Case Study from Slovakia

Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Miroslava Mikusova ◽  
Joanna Wachnicka ◽  
Joanna Zukowska
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Pedestrian Behavior ◽  
The Road ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Interaction Factor ◽  
Future Work

The topic of the use of mobile devices and headphones on pedestrian crossings is much less explored in comparison to the use of the mobile phone while driving. Recent years have seen many discussions on this issue, especially in foreign countries. The Slovak Republic, however, has not been giving it enough attention (and it is not mentioned in the National Road Safety Plan for the Slovak Republic from 2011 to 2020). This paper aims to draw attention to this issue. It presents basic outputs of a pilot study on pedestrian safety, with a focus on the use of mobile devices and headphones at selected non-signalized pedestrian crossings in three Slovak cities. Overall, 9% of pedestrians used headphones or mobile devices at observed pedestrian crossings (4% of them used headphones, 1% used headphones and at same time used their mobile phone, 2% made phone calls and 2% used their mobile phones). While these numbers can be considered relatively low, the study proved that during weekdays every 2 min someone was using the crossing without fully focusing on crossing the road safely. Another main finding was that although the safety risk at pedestrian crossings is increased by factors such as rush hour traffic or reduced visibility, pedestrian behavior related to the use of mobile phones and headphones does not change. A safety assessment was also carried out at the crossings. The results show that pedestrian behavior is not affected by the level of safety of the crossing (e.g., visibility of the crossing for drivers). The results of the presented analysis suggest that action is needed to change that. Due to the lack of information about accidents involving pedestrians using mobile phones and headsets when crossing the road, no relevant statistical data could be analyzed. The dataset collected can be used as a basis for further investigation or comparisons with other countries of the relevant indicators. In future work, we would like to include a pedestrian–driver interaction factor focusing on driver speed behavior in relation to pedestrians (who are on or are about to step onto a pedestrian crossing) and identify critical situations caused by improper behavior of drivers and/or pedestrians. This will help to understand speed adjustment problems related to pedestrian crossings.

scholarly journals An Enhanced Mobile Phone Dialler Application for Blind and Visually Impaired People

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Mohammad Yousef ◽  
Omar Adwan ◽  
Murad Abu-Leil
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Voice Recognition ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Windows Phone ◽  
Innovative Concept

This paper presents the development of a new mobile phone dialler application which is designed to help blind and visually impaired people make phone calls. The new mobile phone dialler application is developed as a windows phone application to facilitate entering information to touch screen mobile phones by blind people. This application is advantageous through its innovative concept, its simplicity and its availability at an affordable cost. Feedback from users showed that this new application is easy to use and solves many problems of voice recognition applications such as inaccuracy, slowness and interpretation of unusual voices. In addition, this application has increased the users ability to dial phone numbers more independently and less stressfully.

scholarly journals Poor coherence in older people's speech is explained by impaired semantic and executive processes

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Hoffman ◽  
Ekaterina Loginova ◽  
Asatta Russell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Speech Production ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Executive Processes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The World ◽  
Selection Of

The ability to speak coherently is essential for effective communication but declines with age: older people more frequently produce tangential, off-topic speech. The cognitive factors underpinning this decline are poorly understood. We predicted that maintaining coherence relies on effective regulation of activated semantic knowledge about the world, and particularly on the selection of currently relevant semantic representations to drive speech production. To test this, we collected 840 speech samples along with measures of executive and semantic ability from 60 young and older adults, using a novel computational method to quantify coherence. Semantic selection ability predicted coherence, as did level of semantic knowledge and a measure of domain-general executive ability. These factors fully accounted for the age-related coherence deficit. Our results indicate that maintaining coherence in speech becomes more challenging as people age because they accumulate more knowledge but are less able to effectively regulate how it is activated and used.

Mobile Phone Culture: The Impacts of Mobile Phone Use

2015 ◽  
pp. 658-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Hyun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cultural Implications ◽  
The World ◽  
The Way

From being a simple communication technology to a key social tool, the mobile phone has become such an important aspect of people's everyday life. Mobile phones have altered the way people live, communicate, interact, and connect with others. Mobile phones are also transforming how people access and use information and media. Given the rapid pervasiveness of mobile phones in society across the world, it is important to explore how mobile phones have affected the way people communicate and interact with others, access the information, and use media, and their daily lifestyle. This article aims to explore the social and cultural implications that have come with the ubiquity, unprecedented connectivity, and advances of mobile phones. This article also focuses on the discussion about people's dependence on, attachment and addiction to mobile phones, social problems that mobile phones generate, and how people value mobile phone use.

Factors Affecting Mobile Phone Use Among Undergraduate Students in Turkey

2013 ◽  
pp. 234-246
Author(s):  
Ali Acilar
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
The World

Mobile phones are one of the fastest-adopted innovations in history. Globally, mobile phones have rapidly become widespread in most parts of the world, especially among the young generation. Young people constitute an important and significant part of mobile phone users. In this study, the author examined the factors affecting mobile phone use among undergraduate students in a developing country. The research data was collected through a convenience sample of undergraduate students in a public university in Turkey. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the underlying factors in mobile phone use. Nine factors are identified from the results of factor analysis such as “Information,” “Attitude,” “Mobility,” “Functional service,” “Entertainment/Relaxation,” “Convenience,” “Fashion,” “Sense of security,” and “Multimedia service”.

Dual-SIM Phones

2012 ◽  
pp. 462-469
Author(s):  
Dickinson C. Odikayor ◽  
Ikponmwosa Oghogho ◽  
Samuel T. Wara ◽  
Abayomi-Alli Adebayo
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
User Preference ◽  
Network Services ◽  
Disruptive Technology ◽  
Clear Case ◽  
The World

Dual-SIM mobile phones utilize technology that permits the use of two SIMs at a time. The technology permits simultaneous access to the mobile network services. Its disruptive nature is with reference to the mobile phone market in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Earlier market trend was inclination to “newer” and “better” phones, in favour of established single-SIM mobile phone manufacturers like Nokia and Samsung. Introduction of dual-SIM phones mainly manufactured by Chinese mobile phone manufacturing firms propelled user preference for phones acquisition which permits dual and simultaneous access to mobile network. This technology has compelled its adoption by established manufacturing names in order that they may remain competitive. It is a clear case of a disruptive technology, and this chapter focuses on it need, effects, and disruptive nature.

A Survey of Mobile Phone Use in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Older Adult Population

Mobile phone adoption by older adults is radically increasing. As a part of multiple empirical studies to improve older adults' experiences with mobile phones, a survey was conducted to investigate a number of specific aspects of mobile phone use in the older adult population including motives of ownership, usage patterns, preferences on mobile phone features, and perceived usability of their own phones. A total of 154 older adults from 20 states of the United States who owned a mobile phone participated in this study. Results indicated that participants used a few basic features of mobile phones since they used them mainly for personal communication and safety reasons. Overall, participants perceived that their current phones offered marginal “ease of use”, but they found most usability problems with understanding error messages, inputting text, and understanding user manuals. The majority of older adults (over 50%) desired a phone with basic features that include making /receiving a call, phonebook, emergency call, voice message checking, speed dial, ringer change, and clock. However, effects of age and gender were found on mobile phone usage patterns and design preferences, which suggest a need of focusing on diverse groups within the older adult population.

scholarly journals A study on customers’ attitudes on cell phones in tiruchirappalli city

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Author(s):  
SANKARANARAYANAN G
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Human Life ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Cellular Phones ◽  
Important Data ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
The World

Cellular phones are taking a very important role in our day to day life. Communication is an essential aspect in human life and the role of cell phones has become a very important part in these days.In recent years, the number of mobile phones in the world had been increased at an exponential rate.The reasons for this are numerous, however lower prices and the availability of new technology mean that even the younger ones now own and regularly use mobile phones. Moreover, it has the capability to keeps in touch with family and friends from faraway places; these days due to the development of advanced technologies cell phones are not accomplished only for receiving and talking phone calls, but can also stores important data, takings cameras, stores songs etc.

scholarly journals Preliminary needs assessment of mobile technology use for healthcare among homeless veterans

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Keith McInnes ◽  
Gemmae M Fix ◽  
Jeffrey L Solomon ◽  
Beth Ann Petrakis ◽  
Leon Sawh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
It Use ◽  
Homeless Veterans ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND: Homeless veterans have complex healthcare needs, but experience many barriers to treatment engagement. While information technologies (IT), especially mobile phones, are used to engage patients in care, little is known about homeless veterans’ IT use. This study examines homeless veterans’ access to and use of IT, attitudes toward health-related IT use, and barriers to IT in the context of homelessness. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 homeless veterans in different housing programs in Boston, MA. Inductive thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: Most participants (90%) had a mobile phone and were receptive to IT use for health-related communications. A common difficulty communicating with providers was the lack of a stable mailing address. Some participants were using mobile phones to stay in touch with providers. Participants felt mobile-phone calls or text messages could be used to remind patients of appointments, prescription refills, medication taking, and returning for laboratory results. Mobile phone text messaging was seen as convenient, helped participants stay organized because necessary information was saved in text messages. Some reported concerns about the costs associated with mobile phone use (calls and texting), the potential to be annoyed by too many text messages, and not knowing how to use text messaging. CONCLUSION: Homeless veterans use IT and welcome its use for health-related purposes. Technology-assisted outreach among this population may lead to improved engagement in care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document