Auto answer video call solution for OAP
Discussion
I've spent the afternoon searching the web and trying out various options, but I'm stuffed if I can find a solution, so any help from the vast knowledge of PH would be very much appreciated!
Issue:
The MiL is housebound and immobile (so carers move her from bed to chair to bed - that's it), and no visitors due to Covid distancing (except the carers).
She is suffering from lack of contact with family/friends, so a video call solution looks like a good idea.
Requirement
The screen at her end needs to be a decent size (say around 10 inch), work without any interaction, so my wife, or her mum's friend can place a video call to her, and at the MiL end, the video call just starts without any need for the MiL to physically do anything to answer/enable the call.
When the caller hangs up, the screen at MiL goes blank (maybe after a short timeout period), and is ready to receive another call.
The solution needs to support incoming calls made from a variety of devices, but at the very minimum an iPhone and an Android phone (wife has iPhone, MiL friend has Android)
Looked at so far
Assuming we get an iPad for MiL (with 3/4G as she has no broadband, although install of broadband would be a possibility if needed):
Facetime - works perfectly - auto answers video calls even if the screen is locked. Unfortunately Facetime is not available on Android so MiL friend would not be able to call.
Skype - available for most platforms including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac. Unfortunately Skype CAN auto answer video calls made to it, but only enables the voice on iPad. Video needs to be enabled by tapping the "enable video" button when the call has started.
WhatsApp - on an iPad, it will only work via a web interface and needs to be linked to the user's iPhone. MiL doesn't have an iPhone. Also not sure it will support auto answer on lock screen.
Other options:
Saw what seems a perfect solution -
ViewClix - large screen and easy to connect to - auto answers ok, and no interaction required. Calls from most devices supported. Problem is it's only available in the USA and they will not ship abroad.
Konnekt - it appears they will deliver and install a video device - have asked for prices, but reviews suggest they are very expensive for what they are.
TLDR:
Need simple auto answer video call solution for elderly relative requiring no interaction from said relative to enable initiation or close of calls.
Any thoughts very much welcomed.
Issue:
The MiL is housebound and immobile (so carers move her from bed to chair to bed - that's it), and no visitors due to Covid distancing (except the carers).
She is suffering from lack of contact with family/friends, so a video call solution looks like a good idea.
Requirement
The screen at her end needs to be a decent size (say around 10 inch), work without any interaction, so my wife, or her mum's friend can place a video call to her, and at the MiL end, the video call just starts without any need for the MiL to physically do anything to answer/enable the call.
When the caller hangs up, the screen at MiL goes blank (maybe after a short timeout period), and is ready to receive another call.
The solution needs to support incoming calls made from a variety of devices, but at the very minimum an iPhone and an Android phone (wife has iPhone, MiL friend has Android)
Looked at so far
Assuming we get an iPad for MiL (with 3/4G as she has no broadband, although install of broadband would be a possibility if needed):
Facetime - works perfectly - auto answers video calls even if the screen is locked. Unfortunately Facetime is not available on Android so MiL friend would not be able to call.
Skype - available for most platforms including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac. Unfortunately Skype CAN auto answer video calls made to it, but only enables the voice on iPad. Video needs to be enabled by tapping the "enable video" button when the call has started.
WhatsApp - on an iPad, it will only work via a web interface and needs to be linked to the user's iPhone. MiL doesn't have an iPhone. Also not sure it will support auto answer on lock screen.
Other options:
Saw what seems a perfect solution -
ViewClix - large screen and easy to connect to - auto answers ok, and no interaction required. Calls from most devices supported. Problem is it's only available in the USA and they will not ship abroad.
Konnekt - it appears they will deliver and install a video device - have asked for prices, but reviews suggest they are very expensive for what they are.
TLDR:
Need simple auto answer video call solution for elderly relative requiring no interaction from said relative to enable initiation or close of calls.
Any thoughts very much welcomed.
Mr Pointy said:
Not trying to be funny but the cheapest & most straightforward solution might be to buy your MiL's friend a cheap secondhand iPhone & PAYG SIM.
Apologies - just re-read your response and understood it properly.
Yes, this actually might be a way ahead - thanks for that.
Edited by C n C on Wednesday 19th August 18:35
How about voice command? Could you get Alexa on a Fire 10 tablet working to answer a Whatsapp call? I know a couple of posters have recently got Alexa working with TVs to enable voice control by aged parents.
When I suggested an iPhone I suppose I thought there was only only one friend & they could use Facetime.
When I suggested an iPhone I suppose I thought there was only only one friend & they could use Facetime.
Mr Pointy said:
How about voice command? Could you get Alexa on a Fire 10 tablet working to answer a Whatsapp call? I know a couple of posters have recently got Alexa working with TVs to enable voice control by aged parents.
Might be a possibility, although getting Alexa (or Siri) to understand her may be a stretch - she doesn't speak clearly and mainly in Gujerati! 
Mr Pointy said:
When I suggested an iPhone I suppose I thought there was only only one friend & they could use Facetime.
You are correct - I mis-read your suggestion. This may be an option. Thanks.I believe you can set up an Echo Show to auto-answer and start video, and that this can be configured on an individual contact basis.
https://www.aftvnews.com/the-drop-in-feature-lets-...
https://www.aftvnews.com/the-drop-in-feature-lets-...
PF62 said:
I believe you can set up an Echo Show to auto-answer and start video, and that this can be configured on an individual contact basis.
https://www.aftvnews.com/the-drop-in-feature-lets-...
Thanks for this also - looks like a good possibility.https://www.aftvnews.com/the-drop-in-feature-lets-...
Now discussing with the OH exactly what she wants in terms of privacy/who can connect in/need for broadband etc.. but I'm much further ahead with 2 workable solutions - thanks people!
Just thought I'd update this thread for anyone interested.
We went ahead and got the Echo Show (2nd gen) with 10" screen - have to say I was pretty impressed with the sound and general quality.
As the MiL does not have broadband, we also got a TPLink 4G mobile wifi router and a giffgaff SIM and set it all up at home first before taking it to the MiL's place.
I had some initial worries as after 1 day of setting up and running a few test calls, it had used up 1.5Gb of data (from a 9Gb monthly allowance on the SIM). A bit of research revealed that others had had issues which seemed to be caused by the Echo Show getting stuck downloading software updates. Further monitoring over a few days with several test video calls showed a far more reasonable data usage, so I can only assume that the initial data usage was down to it initially updating to the latest software version. We've also disabled the rotating screens displaying weather, news, photos etc so it's just a plain black/grey screen with the date and time displayed.
The solution now works really well once configured meaning that the MiL needs to do nothing as the calls are initiated by myself or Mrs C n C, yet access is limited to only those contacts that we set up to enable them to "drop in". We can call from our phones or laptop/computer and are enabling it also for one of the MiL's friends.
So a big thank you to all who responded, and particularly to PF62 and Zeek for pointing me towards the Echo Show.
We went ahead and got the Echo Show (2nd gen) with 10" screen - have to say I was pretty impressed with the sound and general quality.
As the MiL does not have broadband, we also got a TPLink 4G mobile wifi router and a giffgaff SIM and set it all up at home first before taking it to the MiL's place.
I had some initial worries as after 1 day of setting up and running a few test calls, it had used up 1.5Gb of data (from a 9Gb monthly allowance on the SIM). A bit of research revealed that others had had issues which seemed to be caused by the Echo Show getting stuck downloading software updates. Further monitoring over a few days with several test video calls showed a far more reasonable data usage, so I can only assume that the initial data usage was down to it initially updating to the latest software version. We've also disabled the rotating screens displaying weather, news, photos etc so it's just a plain black/grey screen with the date and time displayed.
The solution now works really well once configured meaning that the MiL needs to do nothing as the calls are initiated by myself or Mrs C n C, yet access is limited to only those contacts that we set up to enable them to "drop in". We can call from our phones or laptop/computer and are enabling it also for one of the MiL's friends.
So a big thank you to all who responded, and particularly to PF62 and Zeek for pointing me towards the Echo Show.
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