Easy to use Verizon Smartphones

I'm moving my family from AT&T and I'm hesitant because my father (whom is currently using an iPhone 3G) is a very simple man who just wants to get his email on his phone. I got him an iphone, set up his email on his phone and made his home screen just relevant to him and even disabled 3G to conserve battery.

Hopefully I've painted the kind of man he is because I'm sure others have parents like him. I'm having a hard time finding a phone where he can get his gmail in as simple way as possible. Problem with android is that there are too many buttons at the bottom and greater chance of him pressing or doing something that would mess up what I've setup with him (positive of having a tile setup of iphone)

I was then thinking blackberry storm since phone and email are right on the home screen but I've never thought blackberrys as simple phones. I feel windows phone 7 would be perfect but they're not on Verizon yet. I really just wanted opinions because I'm going to move to Verizon but dont want to hassle the poor guy because he's just getting used to his iPhone and I can tell its going to be a difficult move unless I make it simple for him.

My mom is 73 and likes her Droid Incredible, and I can still remember how long it took her to figure out the cable tv controller. She has come a long way. She previously had the LG Dare.

samsung fascinate is the newest and best.

Its not about the newest or best man its about the simplicity.

If he's anything like my parents, it's going to be a complete trainwreck regardless of how simple the phone is to use. Android phones have a whopping four buttons. I don't think you'll find anything less than that other than the iphone.

z3r0- said:

If he's anything like my parents, it's going to be a complete trainwreck regardless of how simple the phone is to use. Android phones have a whopping four buttons. I don't think you'll find anything less than that other than the iphone.

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I know it really does sound stupid but this older generation gets scared and pissed when they see something new they dont understand.

I guess I could lock the phone, does Android OS have an option to lock all home screens?

Have him play with he fascinate, it LOOKS like the iPhone, and the UI feels like it, so it shouldn't be too much of a learning curve.

Just remember you get 30 days with Verizon to try it out. Make sure your dad really uses it alot for the first 30 and if it doesn't work out at least you can return it. I forgot to mention my father who is 75, has the Droid X like me which does help when trying go explain how to do things to him. The bigger screen is a plus to him as well. My mother preferred the smaller screen of the incredible

Does he need a "smart phone"? If not, you could try something like the Pantech Jest. It's free on verizon, and has easy to use and identify buttons.