Orange launches “Hello”, the multimedia IT pack dedicated to senior users
Paris, April 29, 2009
Orange is launching Hello, a package including a fully equipped and preconfigured computer with a sleek design, an intuitive welcome screen, efficient internet access and integrated software. With Hello, Orange offers novice users immediate and simplified access to a range of IT, multimedia and internet features.
This new product represents a simple response geared to the expectations of senior citizens, a population that is looking to benefit from innovations and "move with the times"...without being faced with any technological barrier.
Hello is available from 39.90€/month for the internet subscription + 1€ * for the computer and modem with a 24-month commitment (29.90€/month for the three first months) **.
Hello: a user-friendly computer with a good look and feel
The names of the applications have been simplified so that they can be immediately identified by a person who has never used a computer before (e.g. "text" for drafting documents).
The keyboard has also been adapted, with:
Help and support services for browsing with total peace of mind
Hello includes the computer's complete installation in order to facilitate and secure your discovery of the IT and internet world. The offer is combined with a specific home installation service ***. Indeed, the pack is sent out to the customer's home, and they can:
- ensure that the computer is connected up to Orange broadband internet and configure an email account
- offer a 30 minute introduction on how the services installed work and how to use them. The Hello introduction and installation service is offered from 1€ ****.
At any time, users can get in touch with the Orange helpdesk on 39 00 or check the help feature on their computer, which is regularly updated with the questions most frequently asked by users.
The three Hello options
Seniors calling for more and more... technology and simplicity
According to Serge Guérin, a sociologist specialized in seniors, while the internet symbolizes modernity and youth today, senior citizens are not excluded from it: they have seen the birth of IT, are contemporaries of the internet and are perfectly aware of the benefits of multimedia in general and the internet in particular. Using email, the wonderful source of information that the internet represents, using multimedia (and more specifically photos), and online infotainment represent just some of the benefits recognized by seniors, whether they are seasoned users or novices.
For them, the internet makes it possible to create and maintain social ties with their sociological or generational peers and family. It also enables them to satisfy their curiosity and keep informed, contributing to their self-esteem: it enables them to feel that they are "not behind the times".
In addition, email allows them to establish dialogue, while maintaining their lifestyle and without encroaching upon other people's lives, often out of step from one generation to another: a grandmother will be able to reply at midday to an email that her grandson sent late in the evening. Interaction by email is changing the hierarchy of relationships within the family, as within society in general: a grandson can communicate with his grandmother without going through his parents. Who may be surprised or even cross about this!
For older populations, the technology still represents a barrier to overcome...Simplicity of use is therefore a strong point which they are particularly sensitive to: Orange has designed Hello in order to better meet their expectations.
* While at the same time taking out an Hello internet subscription with a 24-month commitment
** Telephone subscription also required (16€/month with France Telecom)
*** Installation performed by a provider who has been accredited by the French State and selected by Orange
**** Initial bill: 99 euros. Users then benefit from a 49.50 € discount or tax credit under the French "Borloo" Law for personal services provided at home, and a 48.50€ Orange discount
***** Telephone subscription also required (16 euros/month with France Telecom)
This new product represents a simple response geared to the expectations of senior citizens, a population that is looking to benefit from innovations and "move with the times"...without being faced with any technological barrier.
Hello is available from 39.90€/month for the internet subscription + 1€ * for the computer and modem with a 24-month commitment (29.90€/month for the three first months) **.
Hello: a user-friendly computer with a good look and feel
- mail for sending and receiving email with photos or videos thanks to an @orange.fr email address
- internet for browsing online, collecting information, consulting your bank account and preparing your holidays
- photo for easily downloading your photos from a digital device, then organizing and viewing them
- leisure for watching Orange Web TV or videos on your computer, listening to music, the radio and using games
- office for accessing your office tools like your diary, calculator and creating documents (letters and tables)
The names of the applications have been simplified so that they can be immediately identified by a person who has never used a computer before (e.g. "text" for drafting documents).
The keyboard has also been adapted, with:
- shortcut keys for direct access to the homepage and services
- keys that are more easily identifiable thanks to their names (validate and next line" for the enter key) or pictures (scissors to symbolize the "cut" key)
- a remote help key
Help and support services for browsing with total peace of mind
Hello includes the computer's complete installation in order to facilitate and secure your discovery of the IT and internet world. The offer is combined with a specific home installation service ***. Indeed, the pack is sent out to the customer's home, and they can:
- either install it themselves by simply connecting up the power and ethernet cables. The connection with the modem is already set up upstream, and the Orange messaging system is preconfigured.
- or call on a professional for an installation thanks to the system for personal services under the French "Borloo" Law. A technician then goes to their home to:
- ensure that the computer is connected up to Orange broadband internet and configure an email account
- offer a 30 minute introduction on how the services installed work and how to use them. The Hello introduction and installation service is offered from 1€ ****.
At any time, users can get in touch with the Orange helpdesk on 39 00 or check the help feature on their computer, which is regularly updated with the questions most frequently asked by users.
The three Hello options
- 29.90€/month for three months, then 39.90€/month with a 24-month subscription + 1€ (including VAT) for the pack*****
- 29.90€/month for three months, then 39.90€/month with a 12-month subscription + 169€ (including VAT) for the pack*****
- 549€ (including VAT) - without internet access - for just the purchase of the pack (computer with modem)
Seniors calling for more and more... technology and simplicity
According to Serge Guérin, a sociologist specialized in seniors, while the internet symbolizes modernity and youth today, senior citizens are not excluded from it: they have seen the birth of IT, are contemporaries of the internet and are perfectly aware of the benefits of multimedia in general and the internet in particular. Using email, the wonderful source of information that the internet represents, using multimedia (and more specifically photos), and online infotainment represent just some of the benefits recognized by seniors, whether they are seasoned users or novices.
For them, the internet makes it possible to create and maintain social ties with their sociological or generational peers and family. It also enables them to satisfy their curiosity and keep informed, contributing to their self-esteem: it enables them to feel that they are "not behind the times".
In addition, email allows them to establish dialogue, while maintaining their lifestyle and without encroaching upon other people's lives, often out of step from one generation to another: a grandmother will be able to reply at midday to an email that her grandson sent late in the evening. Interaction by email is changing the hierarchy of relationships within the family, as within society in general: a grandson can communicate with his grandmother without going through his parents. Who may be surprised or even cross about this!
For older populations, the technology still represents a barrier to overcome...Simplicity of use is therefore a strong point which they are particularly sensitive to: Orange has designed Hello in order to better meet their expectations.
* While at the same time taking out an Hello internet subscription with a 24-month commitment
** Telephone subscription also required (16€/month with France Telecom)
*** Installation performed by a provider who has been accredited by the French State and selected by Orange
**** Initial bill: 99 euros. Users then benefit from a 49.50 € discount or tax credit under the French "Borloo" Law for personal services provided at home, and a 48.50€ Orange discount
***** Telephone subscription also required (16 euros/month with France Telecom)
press contacts
Heloïse Rothenbühler - heloise.rothenbuhler@orange-ftgroup.com - +33 1 44 44 93 93
Marylin Daled - marylin.daled@orange-ftgroup.com - +33 1 55 22 36 56
Marylin Daled - marylin.daled@orange-ftgroup.com - +33 1 55 22 36 56
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