December 2019

The Doro liberto 820 mini model is a terminal with a touch screen and the most common characteristics of a Smartphone terminal that has a simplified version of Android adapted to the needs of the elderly.

The phone has the Android operating system version 4.4.2 (KitKat).

Buttons, display and appearance

The terminal has a 4 ”TFT touch screen and a series of external buttons that facilitate some of the main functions.

The design of the phone is robust and aesthetically very stylish like most mobile terminals from this manufacturer.

Among the additional keys are the power, taking pictures, volume control, and the keys back to back or initial menu.

The default alphanumeric keyboard displayed on the screen is very small and although it can be configured within a menu that is difficult to access, the maximum size allowed is not too large.

Menu and texts

It is a phone that incorporates a highly adapted version of Android, that is, it simplifies the different Android functionalities through simpler access methods, explanations, etc.

It allows to simplify the call to contacts being able to create shortcuts with photos. It includes icons and texts that facilitate the identification of most of the functionalities.

The phone has a feature called a startup guide that allows you to easily configure the main options the first time you use the phone or whenever you want to reset.

Despite all the facilities it includes, it is important to know that both this and other adapted Doro Smartphone phones are for older users who have a minimum of skill in use.

Land

The magnifying glass has great quality thanks to the type of camera that the phone has and also allows the image to be frozen, which can be very useful for people who have tremors in their hands.

Lantern

The flashlight is useful and has a great luminosity, but it does not have any switch or button that allows external activation, but it is activated and deactivated by means of an icon that appears on the screen.

Additional functions

The phone has features such as alarm, calendar, stopwatch or weather information that can be used in a simple and intuitive way, each with a dedicated icon in the main menu.

It also has a recorder, introduction of manual notes or a safe section to store information that is accessed by means of a password.

In addition, it has an easy-to-use calculator application.

SOS button

The phone incorporates a configurable emergency notification button within the settings menu.

Among the settings that can be configured are the destination numbers of the call and alert SMS, as well as the option to send the location in case of emergency or the configuration of the type of keystroke that activates the emergency.

Calls and SMS

Sending and reading SMS is not excessively complex thanks to the simplified menus, although as mentioned above the keyboard is excessively small.

The menu for receiving calls is not complex, although as for most functionalities it is necessary to pick it up from an option on the screen instead of having an external button for this action.

The volume is suitable for older people and although it does not reach the levels of other terminals on the market, it is valid in most cases where there are no serious hearing problems.

My DoroManager

My Doro Manager is an additional service that allows the phone to be managed remotely by family members and caregivers. In this way, the person who wants to remotely manage a terminal can access it from a website by entering an account that links the terminal to said management platform. From My doro Manager you can manage contacts, gallery images, applications, SOS button.

The service is one of the strengths of the Doro Smartphone terminals, but in this case it seems that the manufacturer has stopped supporting this specific model.

Camera

It has a 5 Megapixel rear camera with flash and another 0,3 Megapixel front camera. The quality of the rear camera is good compared to other terminals for the elderly that we have had the opportunity to test.

The camera has a dedicated external button for taking pictures.

Manual

The product includes a set of manual booklets in various languages, but in the end the manual in Spanish is somewhat scarce. Of course, the phone offers small guided tutorials each time a functionality is accessed.

It includes a small printed dictionary with some important terms to familiarize yourself with the use of the Smartphone: applications, 3G, GPS ...

FM radio and audio playback

The phone has an FM Radio application that is quite intuitive since it simulates the aesthetics and controls of a traditional radio.

For its use it is necessary to connect headphones that act as an antenna.

In addition, the phone allows audio playback in mp3 or wav format.

It has an adequate volume for use with headphones.

Charging base

The phone has a robust charging base that allows it to be placed horizontally so that it can serve as a photo frame or digital clock.

The fit in said charging base is correct, although you have to make sure that the mini USB connector is fully connected.

In addition, the micro USB connector can be connected directly to the phone for charging without the station.

Battery

The terminal has a removable battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh.

The manufacturer claims that the battery is sufficient for about 500 hours of standby or 18 hours of talk, but in practice the duration is shorter.

Additional storage

It has 4GB internal memory and the possibility of external SD storage of up to 32 GB

Connectivity

The phone has all the usual forms of connectivity for a Smartphone:

• Dual SIM 3G
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• GPS for the use of applications such as Google maps

Accessibility

HAC hearing aid compatibility.

Having an Android operating system allows the use of the Android screen reader known as Talkback.

Conclusion

In short, the Doro Liberto 820 mini is one of the Doro terminals that has paved the way for the rest of the Smartphone models for the elderly.

The key to the success of these terminals lies in the adaptation of the Android operating system through its own layer that simplifies its functions and in turn in services such as "My Doro Manager" that allow remote management of the terminal by family members and caregivers.

Highlights:

• It includes a simplified version of Android that allows you to use mail, whatsapp and other applications.
• Although it is tactile, it includes an alert button, charging base, magnifying glass and other functionalities similar to specialized telephones for the elderly.
• It incorporates the advantages of the accessibility of Android compared to other phones for the elderly in which they are not available.

Improvement points:

• The keyboard displayed on the screen for entering text should have larger characters.
• A physical button could be incorporated to turn on the flashlight.
• Battery and processing capacity can be a little short on using resource-intensive games or applications.