"But I could just get a tablet."
You could. For someone who just wants a phone call, though, a tablet usually ends up gathering dust on the kitchen table within a month.
A tablet is a full computer. It asks for a password, then an account to log into, then an update that moves the buttons, then a pop-up about cloud storage, then a scam email dressed up as the bank. Every one of those is a chance to get stuck.
The Ken does none of that. It shows only approved faces, and when one of them calls, the screen lights up. That's the whole product.
| The Ken | Alternative A* | Alternative B* | Alternative C* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing for a scammer to use - no phone number, no email, no browser, no apps to install12 | ||||
| Family and carers can manage the Ken remotely | Linked account | Companion app | ||
| Dedicated carer interface | ||||
| Intuitive interface for all users | Mostly | |||
| Works for users with accessibility challenges1, 5, 6, 8, 9 | ||||
| Designed for users who find touchscreens difficult2, 3, 4 | Accessibility mode | Voice only | Accessibility mode | |
| Make and receive calls without navigating menus | Voice only | |||
| Auto-answer for trusted contacts | Accessibility | Via settings | Accessibility | |
| Video-mail for missed calls | In-app message | In-app message | ||
| Large, high-contrast interface for poor vision | Adjustable | Adjustable | ||
| No adverts, no data resale | ||||
| No always-on microphone, no voice assistant, no hot-word | Wake word | Wake word | ||
| Medication reminders with family escalation | ||||
| Multiple Kens on one family plan | Linked account | Multi-device | ||
| Right to repair |
The raised numbers point at the research behind The Ken: the standard or study behind each row, next to the figure actually in the build.
* Alternatives A, B and C are the leading general-purpose tablet, smart display, and smartphone-plus-messaging-app options families try first. We don't name them: they're capable products built for a general audience, not rivals built for this job, and the comparison reflects how they behave out of the box for someone who finds technology difficult.
Looking at the purpose-built devices? See The Ken compared with Komp and Konnekt →
The Ken is the only option designed, end to end, for the person modern technology leaves behind and the person looking after them.
Every other product was built for a general buyer. The Ken is built the other way round, starting from the person modern technology leaves behind and working out what they actually need.
The contacts screen, remote management and reminders were all designed from day one for that person and the family looking after them.
The Ken
The Ken
A communication device with a 10-inch touchscreen, built for people modern technology has left behind. Comes with the Ken, power cable and a quick-start guide. Nothing else to buy.
Your subscription
A private network for your family
The Ken connects over your home WiFi, but calls and messages run through a closed system we build and maintain. There is no phone number and no email address on the Ken, so a cold caller has nothing to dial and a phishing message has nowhere to land. No ads, no pop-ups, and nothing on the Ken to install. The faces on the screen are the contacts you add in the portal. Your subscription keeps this running: the secure network, the portal, the iPhone and Android apps, both in testing, medication reminders, voicemail, and every software update. One plan, every feature.
- ✓Nothing for a scammer to use - no phone number, no email, no browser, no apps to install
- ✓Family-managed contact list, controlled from the portal
- ✓No ads, no pop-ups, ever
- ✓No per-minute charge
Calls use your home broadband, so call data counts against your Wi-Fi plan. - ✓Text and voice messaging
- ✓Video-mail (3 months)
- ✓Admin portal
- ✓Admin portal in any browser, free of charge - simple interface for calls and messages. iPhone and Android apps in testing
- ✓Medication reminders with family alerts
- ✓Quiet hours & sleep mode
- ✓Multiple Kens per family
- ✓Trusted contact access (family, carers, healthcare)
- ✓All software updates included
- ✓Right to repair
Be told the day it goes on sale
The Ken is in its final round of testing with families around the country. Leave us an email address and we will tell you the day you can order one.
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