Jitterbug
The Jitterbug, a simplified cell phone for seniors with oversized buttons (whose name conjures the good old days of yesteryear) has been recalled because, wait for it, it can’t always call 911. The bug, which Samsung blames on a version of the phone’s firmware which was distributed after March 1, 2008, prevents subscribers from connecting to emergency services while roaming.
But you wouldn’t know it by going to their web site. Not unless you’ve got very sharp eyes. The companies involved, Jitterbug and Samsung, have been similarly demure.
Jitterbug CEO David Inns downplayed the issue, telling the Wall Street Journal, “This is an issue that would only happen in remote rural areas that don’t have normal coverage… This is not an issue where they need to panic or worry.”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that no one has been affected by the phone’s shortcomings, but it’s hard to imagine a worse public relations debacle for a company whose target demographic is seniors. The company’s web site states, “Jitterbug was founded by Arlene Harris, 45-year veteran in wireless and creator of the highly-regarded SOS emergency phone.”
Consumers are encouraged to call the company’s hotline at (866) 304-4980 or take their phone to a service center, but only the affected owners are being contacted…by mail.
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