Zone V - Making the latest smartphones work for older people and for people of any age with poor eyesight, hearing or dexterity

Smartphones and tablets are the global standard channel for personalized information, entertainment and service delivery, including emerging health and wellness services. Many older people and also those not so old, find smartphones a challenge to use, whether through poor eyesight, hearing or dexterity or just finding the complexity of the latest technology too difficult. 

 

Zone V is a new easily downloadable software user interface designed to simplify the way in which the smartphone interface works, to address this problem. The problem is global and as such the business has the potential to scale worldwide. There are currently no mass market solutions. 

In the public sector, smartphones and tablet platforms are a core part of health service digital strategies, despite the fact that many would be unable to access the services effectively due to the difficulty of use. 

Prior to our launch Zone, V was a finalist in BT’s mobile innovation competition, and the company has been recommended by the Chair and primary product strategist at the RNIB (Blind Institute). The company has filed for a number of patents related to both hardware and software solutions.

Zone V is primarily operating a B2B business model. Zone V has a strong technical partnership with Samsung and is a Samsung Managed Solutions Partner. The business has established B2B distribution with Tech Data, who are Samsung’s main distributor and can deliver configured devices and software to individuals, retail, enterprise, telecom operator, reseller and public sector channels. 

 

The Zone V board and executive team comprise international experts from the telecoms, health and wellness fields, as well as key investors, together representing a global community of potential users.  The companies’ deep connection with these sectors provides unparalleled access to correct channels and markets.

For the future, the drive to deliver services via smartphone platforms continues to widen the digital divide for older users of smartphones and will accelerate as longevity increases. As new technologies emerge, they will create further barriers, and consequently needs, that Zone V will be well placed to support. 

Zone V is addressing a growing global market, with over 1.3Bn over 50s in the world today, many needing smartphones that are more accessible.        

 

*populus