Clarity, who specialise in communications equipment for elderly users, today announced ClarityLife, their super-simple cellphone that doubles up as an emergency response device.  The handset tackles all of the key complaints from senior users (and some that younger users might find just as frustrating): audio is amplified up to 20db, the display is large and high-contrast, and it has prominent buttons for easy control.  On the back, meanwhile, there’s a panic button that, when triggered, automatically calls up to five contacts pre-programmed into the phone, with an audio siren sound that confirms the phone is emergency dialling.

“Mobile phones have not been designed to meet the needs of the millions of aging Americans.  For more than 25 years, Clarity has been developing products for the world’s aging population, and we saw a tremendous need for a mobile phone that marries simplicity, security and amplification. ClarityLife offers features that are essential to seniors today: it’s easy to use and read, it amplifies sound, and it plays a vital role in an emergency” Carsten Trads, president, Clarity

Users can select the top eight contacts most called and choose to have them presented first in the list, and the ClarityLife also features a strong vibrating ringer, a flashing orange LED to signal incoming calls and a flashlight.  Clarity promise 180 minutes talktime.

The ClarityLife is available for preorder now, with availability expected in late Summer 2008.