CallGenie: Smart Life Solution’s Video Calling device for the Elderly
Origins of CallGenie:
The journey began when the founder of Smart Life Solutions grappled with a common yet poignant challenge: maintaining effortless communication with an aging loved one, particularly one who wasn’t tech-savvy. For many elderly individuals, devices like smartphones and tablets can be intimidating, often left uncharged and unused. Identifying this gap, and with an IT-rich background, the founder was convinced that smart home technologies held the answer to bridging this communication divide.Turning the TV into a Communication Hub:
Recognising the integral role televisions play in the daily lives of seniors, it was clear that this device, familiar and non-intimidating, would be the centrepiece of the solution. This insight led to the creation of CallGenie, integrating a mini PC, webcam, and Skype. The aim? To bring uncomplicated video communication to seniors right through their trusted TV screens. The challenge was more than just initiating video calls. It was pivotal to ensure that regular television viewing wasn’t interrupted. After trialing various approaches, HDMI-CEC integration emerged as the breakthrough. This feature enabled CallGenie to determine the TV’s current state, initiate a video call, and, post-call, restore the TV to its original setting – a feature indispensable for seniors who might be perplexed by complex TV operations.From a Personal Need to a Worldwide Offering:
From its initial days as a personal solution, CallGenie quickly evolved into a global offering by 2019, catering to customers across the UK and Norway. Early models employed the Harmony Hub to send infrared commands to TVs that weren’t HDMI-CEC compliant. This was later streamlined with the Flirc USB IR Receiver for better efficiency. With the Covid-19 pandemic’s onset in March 2020, the importance of CallGenie became even more pronounced, seeing a spike in its demand. Its relevance extended beyond individual homes to care homes, demonstrating its broad applicability.Today, Smart Life Solutions proudly presents CallGenie, a video calling device specially designed for seniors and the elderly, available in the UK, Europe, USA, and Canada. While the device has a broad reach, the company’s influence extends even further. Their CallGenie Software is available worldwide, empowering tech enthusiasts and professionals globally. This ensures they can create their CallGenie setups, making video calling simple and magical for seniors no matter where they are.
Conclusion:
CallGenie’s journey is a testament to how genuine needs inspire the most profound innovations. Within the bustling realm of smart tech, CallGenie stands out — not merely as a device but as a heartwarming story of how personal challenges can lead to solutions that touch lives globally, especially for our cherished seniors and elderly.
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.
