Mobile phone that looks like a normal 'handset and rest' phone?

Cycrow

some mobiles can be set to hang up or answer calls when removed/placed in holsters, so if they are setup that way, they could work in a similar way, althou they would still require the additional call butting being pressed when dialling.

the phone you linked looks like it'll do the job, and its not exactly expensive, so probably worth a shot. Doesn't look very mobile, but its mainly just to be used at home as a back up, then i see no problem with it.
just make sure you get a network that has good indoor coverage where you are

jrawle

There are plenty of similar phones on eBay, just search for 'GSM desk phone'.

It makes perfect sense for an elderly person, possibly with limited mobility. I've always thought traditional desktop phones are much more ergonomic than mobiles. Mobiles are a compromise to make them portable. If you're going to be talking for a long time, it's better to have something that's a decent size to hold, and where the mic is next to your mouth for clear sound pickup. Unfortunately, DECT phones always seem to be designed like mobiles, not like corded phones.

As for the green and red buttons, there's no reason why picking up can't answer and hanging up end a call. But as another poster mentioned, it's harder to make a call without a green button due to the different way mobile networks and traditional telephone exchanges work. The ones on eBay seem to have a green call button. It would be feasible for a GSM phone to have some logic built in that "pressed" the green button automatically after a timed pause in dialling, but that could catch out an elderly person who took their time dialling.

GustyGardenGalaxy

I agree with everything that you say - it does surprise me that more 'mobile' desktop models aren't available, particularly for the elderly.

jenniewb

Maybe take a Doro mobile handset and stick stickers over the red and green button to read "call" and "hang up" as oppose to the little icons.

Ypaymore

tyllwyd wrote: »

I haven't seen a phone like that - and I can't see why they would be made, so I don't think you are going to have much luck. The whole idea of a mobile phone is that they are mobile and you carry them around with you, so the idea of having one that only works when you pick it up from a base doesn't make sense.

These people have been selling them for yonks

http://www.burnsidetelecom.com/default.aspx

for the business market lots of applications for their use.;)

as have these www.gsmdeskphone.co.uk

Ypaymore

GustyGardenGalaxy wrote: »

I agree with everything that you say - it does surprise me that more 'mobile' desktop models aren't available, particularly for the elderly.

Cheaper then a landline with a suitable sim .Eg Virgin Payg Big Talk.

£10 a month on payg ( and you get to keep £ 10 to use )

Unlimited 01/02/03 calls .

120 mobile minutes,

http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/sim-only/pay-as-you-go-sim.html

sillygoose

Ypaymore wrote: »

Cheaper then a landline with a suitable sim .Eg Virgin Payg Big Talk.

£10 a month on payg ( and you get to keep £ 10 to use )

Unlimited 01/02/03 calls .

120 mobile minutes,

http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/sim-only/pay-as-you-go-sim.html

Thats my thought, most of us use mobiles with included minutes for majority of calls and keep a landline at £10 a month standing charge for basically for the pleasure of receiving spam calls on!

(1st person to mention Telephone Preference Service gets a one way ticket to India to listen to them laugh when you mention TPS)

You could ditch the landline and use one of these with an Ovivo sim in which for the number of calls you would probably make it would end up free.

Only catch is you may need a landline standing charge for internet. But if your in a Virgin cable area you don't (although I believe they still include a 'free' line with internet)

I have also heard of devices that take a SIM and simulate a landline, it is wired into the existing phone socket system and supports any handsets including DECT cordless ones, but they are mostly commercial units.