The basics
What The Ken is.
Why not just get a tablet?
A tablet is a general-purpose computer: app store, browser, email, menus several layers deep. That power is the problem for someone who finds technology hard: a wrong tap opens scam pop-ups; a failed login locks them out.
The Ken does none of that. One screen, the faces approved to call, and a large answer button when they ring. Nothing to misconfigure.
Full comparison at theken.uk/compare.
Is The Ken a tablet?
Not quite, and that is the point. The Ken does one thing: it keeps the person in easy reach of the people who love them. It has a 10-inch touchscreen, but no app store, no browser, no email, so there is nothing to learn and nothing to go wrong.
Is The Ken suitable for people who find touchscreens or phones difficult?
Yes, that is who it is for. There is nothing to learn: contacts are large photos, the answer button fills the screen, and only single taps are needed, no swipes or gestures.
There is also an optional auto-answer, for when the person genuinely cannot manage the screen. It is off unless you switch it on, on purpose: a call should only open the camera when they choose to answer.
Safety and security
A closed system.
How does The Ken stay scam-safe?
The device has no phone number, no email, no browser, no app store, so a scammer or phishing message has no way to reach the screen. Only contacts approved in the family portal can. Unknown callers do not get through and do not know it exists.
More at theken.uk/security.
What stops someone from adding themselves as a contact?
Contacts are added only through the family portal, by family or carers (“HCPs”) who have been invited and verified. The person using The Ken never has to judge whether a caller is genuine; everyone who can reach them has already been vetted by the family.
With contact-approval mode on, every new contact waits for an admin’s approval before it appears.
Family and carers
Managing everything remotely.
Who manages The Ken, and how does the family portal work?
The family handle the technical side from the portal at theken.uk/portal, on any phone or computer: contacts, photos, settings and reminders, so the person using The Ken never has to. It stays their device; they simply answer the people they choose to. Several family members can each have an account with the right level of access.
An iPhone and Android app launches in June 2026, included in the subscription, for quick admin tasks like approving contacts.
Is there an app for family members?
An iPhone and Android app launches in June 2026, included in the subscription. It handles the basics for an admin, such as approving new contacts.
For everything else, the portal at theken.uk/portal does the full job from any phone browser.
Can The Ken be used in a care home or sheltered accommodation?
Yes, wherever there is Wi-Fi. The Ken uses Wi-Fi only, no SIM or mobile data, and most care homes and sheltered schemes have resident Wi-Fi.
If the network uses a sign-in page to accept terms (a captive portal), ask their IT team to allow the device by its network address, or get in touch and we will help. Carers can be given portal access alongside family.
What happens when a call is missed?
The caller can leave a voicemail or video message. It appears on The Ken’s screen and plays with a single tap, and family can see and hear it from the portal too.
Voicemails are kept for 30 days as standard, with extensions available.
Comparing options
How The Ken fits the market.
How does The Ken compare to alternatives?
An Apple iPad or general tablet can do everything, which is the problem for someone who finds technology hard. The purpose-built alternatives are simpler.
Komp (Norway) auto-answers every call, with one button and no touchscreen. Konnekt (Australia) is a large videophone with limited UK support. GrandPad (US) is a simplified tablet with built-in 4G and patchy UK availability.
The Ken is UK-designed and supported, available now, with a 10-inch touchscreen the person can use themselves and full family-portal control, at £249 plus £4.99 a month. Full comparison at theken.uk/compare.
Pricing and what’s included
What it costs.
What are the full costs?
Device: £249 one-off, with free UK delivery and 30-day returns. If it is not right, send it back for a full refund and we cover the return postage.
Subscription: £4.99 a month, covering calls, the family portal, voicemail, reminders and all software updates. The iPhone and Android app (June 2026) is included. No per-minute charges, no contract, cancel any time.
What does the monthly subscription include?
The £4.99 a month covers:
- Secure video and voice calling between The Ken and family
- The family portal, on any phone or browser
- Voicemail and video-message storage (30 days standard, extensions available)
- Medication and appointment reminders
- All software updates to the device, cloud and portal
- The iPhone and Android app (June 2026, included)
Calls are included, with no per-minute charge.
What if it isn’t right for them?
You have 30 days to decide. If The Ken does not suit them, send it back for a full refund and we cover the return postage. The subscription can be cancelled any time, with no contract to unwind.
Updates and longevity
A device which constantly improves.
Will The Ken receive software updates, and for how long?
Yes, automatically over Wi-Fi, with nothing for the family to do.
We commit to security updates for at least five years from the date of purchase, and expect to provide them for longer. Updates cover the device, the cloud services, the portal, and the app. More at theken.uk/security.
Still have questions? Talk to us.
A small team that knows every device and every customer.