Do you have an elderly relative that you want to speak with regularly who doesn’t like or want new tech in their home and who may have Dementia or Mobility issues?
CallGenie is the answer…….
CallGenie was created as a simple solution to the challenges our Founder, Graham experienced when trying to stay in regular, reliable contact with his mother who suffered with both Dementia and mobility issues (and she happened to be called Jean and she thought the device was magical, hence CallGenie!)
“CallGenie has been a game changer for communication with my 91 year old mother – enabling me to both see her and communicate with her on a daily basis without any effort on her part. ”
Steven with Vera
Designed for the Elderly – Works with the existing Television
CallGenie is the only complete, fully automated solution for receiving video calls on an elderly loved one’s existing television – automatically switching to the incoming Skype call and then switching back to the programme they were watching. Just connect it to broadband and plug it into their television – everything else is automated!
Fully automated video calling
CallGenie automatically switches to the incoming call and then switches back to the programme they were watching. Just connect it to broadband and plug it into their television – everything else is automated!
Safe, private & closed network
Only answers incoming calls from friends and family – including group calls! CallGenie benefits from Skype’s privacy features to make it safe and secure.
One off cost – no monthly fees
No monthly fees to pay and 12 months of full support included with every package.
How Does it Work?
1.
Getting set-up
Plug in the box, connect to Wi-fi and to the TV and you’re all set-up! If you need any help contact Smart Life Solutions.
2.
Make a call
Make a call through Skype on either your phone, iPad or computer.
3.
Accept the call
Call Genie will turn on the TV (if needed) or switch automatically without your elderly loved one needing to do anything.
4.
Enjoy your call
Enjoy having a catch up with your loved one on the big screen, which feels like you are in the room together.
5.
Finish your call
Hang up the call when you have finished and CallGenie will end the call and automatically switches back to the programme they were watching (or turns the TV back off).
Now we’d like to show you CallGenie in action:
FAQ’s
Why does CallGenie use Skype when everyone else uses custom apps on iOS and Android?
Skype is one of the most widely used video calling applications and is available on all major computing platforms, not just mobile. Want to call the elderly person from your laptop or desktop computer? Then Skype is the answer.
Why does CallGenie use a television as its display?
The television is the largest screen in most people’s homes. Add on to that the fact that the majority of elderly people have their main chair positioned directly in front of their television, why would you introduce another smaller screen into their living environment when the television is already there?
What if you have spectacles? Varifocal glasses will allow you to switch from watching television to reading a book by looking down through the bottom of the lens. Looking at a screen a metre or so away would require the user to tip their head back to be able focus on the screen. Unless, of course, the screen is positioned on the floor, which is usually not practical.
CallGenie works in conjunction with televisions ranging from 20″ through to 75″, or bigger. Why limit the user to watching a small screen while the largest screen in the home is right in front of them.
Will the elderly person receive unwanted calls?
No. We set up Skype to only answer calls from known contacts.
What is included with a CallGenie Appliance?
A Fully Configured CallGenie Appliance includes CallGenie Software, mini PC, webcam and television control hardware.
- Choose from HD or Full HD Webcams (see FAQs for help choosing)
- Remote configuration by Smart Life Solutions
- Available as an appliance in the UK, USA and Canada
- Delivery 3-5 days (UK)
*CallGenie solutions are being used in the US, Canada, Brazil and Mainland Europe where customers have bought the hardware themselves and sourced the CallGenie Software from us. UPDATE: You can now buy CallGenie Appliances in the USA – follow this link to our US distributor – CallGenieUSA.
Will my TV be compatible with CallGenie?
CallGenie requires HDMI-CEC to control the television. This is provided as standard in most premium LED/QLED/OLED* televisions from:
- Samsung
- LG
- Sony
- Panasonic
- Philips
(*) LCD and Plasma televisions are typically not compatible
The following technologies aren’t supported:
- Amazon Fire TV Edition (JVC, Bush, Ferguson etc)
- TV/DVD Combinations (Bush, Hitachi, JVC, Sharp etc)
To check if your television has HDMI-CEC use your remote control to access the television’s menu. Then check in Settings, System or something similar to look for the option. You may also want to look at your televsion’s instruction manual or just try performing a web search for the model of your television and “Enable HDMI-CEC.”
Please note that manufacturers may have their own trade names for HDMI-CEC:
- AnyNet+ (Samsung)
- Aquos Link (Sharp)
- BRAVIA Link/Sync (Sony)
- EasyLink (Philips)
- HDMI-CEC (Hitachi)
- CE-Link (Toshiba)
- SimpLink (LG)
- VIERA Link (Panasonic)
- CEC (Vizio)
If in doubt check with us that your television will work.
Can I get UK VAT relief for the disabled?
Yes, you can. If you, or the person you are buying a CallGenie Appliance for, are chronically sick or disabled and are using CallGenie Appliance for personal or domestic use.
The following qualifies as chronically sick or disabled:
- You have a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon your ability to carry out everyday activities
- You have a condition that the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease
- You have a terminal illness
Smart Life Solutions is required by HMRC to keep a record of all customers who have qualified for VAT relief for the disabled. Their names , addresses and other relevant information may be shared with HMRC upon request.
To get VAT relief for the disabled you need to create a Smart Life Solutions account and fill out a short questionnaire. Smart Life Solutions will confirm your application for VAT relief for the disabled typically within 8 working hours. Occasionally, we may need more information from you before it is approved.
Where can I buy a CallGenie Appliance?
UK
CallGenie Appliances can be bought for delivery in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man using this website
* EU power supply can be specified at checkout, if required.
USA & Canada
CallGenie Appliances are available to purchase for delivery in the United States and Canada using our US distributor’s website
Europe
CallGenie Appliances can be bought for delivery to countries in the EU and EEA (including Switzerland).
*** Please note that the price you pay will not include tax (even though this site shows the UK price including VAT). However, you will need to pay local VAT (sales tax) and import duties to customs in your country before you will receive your appliance.
All appliances will be shipped with euro power supplies (except for Ireland).
Other Countries
We don’t currently ship fully configured appliances outside of the UK, USA, Canada and Europe. However, you can source your own hardware and buy the software from us here in the UK.
You can find details of how to create your own appliance in the following link:https://smart-life-solutions.co.uk/how-to-build-your-own-callgenie-appliance It’s not that hard and we will provide you support once you have the mini PC connected to the internet.You will also find in that post a link to a shopping list of parts available on amazon.com.
Do you need more information? Please contact us or complete the form below
Check your television is compatible with CallGenie
Fill in this form to ask us to check that your television will be compatible with CallGenie
