This excellent article from today’s New York Times discusses older American’s use (and changing use) of mobile phones. It’s particularly indicative of the ways that we see perceptions of mobile phones changing - one of the main points of the article is that many older Americans who used to view their mobile phones as useful only for security and emergencies are now comfortable with everyday calling. Many still see it as ‘just a phone’ however, a find which contrasts with the perceptions of youthful users who are increasingly integrating functions like SMS and picture taking into a much broader model of an integrated device.

Many of the older people interviewed for the article also complain that the features of both their devices and their calling plans don’t suit them. Small keypads, tiny screens, and complicated features are sometimes more than even I can handle…