Senior Tech Insider

I tested  Grandpad and
JubileeTV for two months.
One  device won over my mom and family

By Kahn Kim, April 23rd 2024
I tested Grandpad and JubileeTV to see which was the better communications device for my mom.
JubileeTV was more focused on simplifying TV while Grandpad was designed to make internet easier
My mom reveals to STI her favorite of the two devices and how it improved her memory recall

Caring for an aging parent, the challenge of keeping us connected through technology can be a challenge.  


The usual routes of communication—cell phones, video calling apps—just don't seem to cut it for my mom's needs. In my quest for the perfect solution, I spent two months zero-ing in on two front runners in the senior tech space:

Grandpad and Jubilee TV.
I'm diving into a detailed comparison of these options to figure out which one could be the communication game-changer (and then some) for my elderly mother.



Let’s take a quick look at each device.
Alright, JubileeTV wins the features battle but let's now talk about cost. Sometimes it comes down to dollar and cents, even in face of higher product quality.

What is JubileeTV?

Console
Connects to cable boxes, streaming players, andDVD players.
Voice Remote
For navigating everything
on the television.
Web Camera
For video calls on the television.
Mobile App
Control your parent's TV from your phone
The console, web camera, and voice remote are for your parents, while the
mobile app is for you. Capiche?
JubileeTV's Most Popular Features
Forget what's being marketed and promised by the company.
These are the features that are actually used by most members.
Mobile Remote Control
The mobile app controls your parent's TV remotely, from anywhere. Truly groundbreaking technology.
Activity Feed
You're alerted when your parent's TV turns on and off, providing peace of mind or a cue to encourage them to be more active.
Video Calls
Video calls on the TV are larger, louder, and auto-answer, simplifying the process for parents. Mobile devices cannot compete.
Voice Remote
Natural language for TV commands has existed before but not like this. Inquiries like "how's the weather?" make this a favorite.
My Favorite JubileeTV Feature: Mobile Remote Control

With the mobile app, I could start a show, switch audio languages or subtitles, adjust the volume essentially control any aspect of my mom's TV from anywhere-I could be in Massachusetts while she is snow birding in Florida.

I haven't seen this technology anywhere else on the market and I now use it every week.

Mom's Favorite JubileeTV Feature: Voice Remote

"Voice" transformed the TV experience for my mom, particularly with her memory Issues.

This remote allowed her to use natural language for commands or queries, like checking the weather or playing a favorite show. The intuitive use not only simplified TV navigation but also supported her memory recall, which in turn improved her mental well-being.

After all, she gained a new level of confidence and independence at home.

Now let's see what Grandpad is all about.

What is Grandpad?

Tablet
Pre-loaded with apps exclusive to Grandpad
Dock
For charging and
standing up the tablet
Mobile App
Manage apps on the tablet
The tablet and dock are for your parents, while the mobile app is for you.



External apps such as Netflix can't be downloaded onto the tablet (but can be accessed through their web browsing app, which my mother didn't find user-friendly).



Grandpad's 4G LTE network enables untethered use (it was great to see my mom take video calls in the backyard), but frequent charging can become a hassle. My mom appreciated how JubileeTV didn't require this routine.
Grandpad's Most Popular Features
More than serveral apps aimed at simplifying internet use, but these are the most popular among Grandpad users.
Calls
Only receives phone calls or video calls from saved contacts. Spammers and scammers are never a concern.
Help App
A direct line (on-line) to 24/7/365 customer support. They usually respond within a few minutes.
Photos
Use the mobile app to share photos in real-time on your parent's tablet, where it becomes a digital frame.
Notes: I appreciated the protection against spammers and scammers calling my mom, though there were times when "unknown" numbers from important sources, like her doctor's office, needed to reach her.I'm ambivalent about the Grandpad's Help App being so popular among users. 



Shouldn't their web browsing or email apps be more used if they're actually "replacing the desktop computer?" 



I believe, not through any fault of their own, that a mobile device, like a tablet, can't fully substitute for a desktop in certain tasks, such as purchasing plane tickets or managing an online calendar.
Top Feature Comparison
JubileeTV focuses on the TV experience, whereas Grandpad is geared towards internet use. 
Despite their fundamental differences, both share key features such as Video Calls. 
Let's delve into their overlaps to determine who begins to take the lead in this features matchup. 
Remote Control App
Voice Remote
Video
Calls
Activity
Feed
Photo
Sharing
Phone Calls
Help App
Top Shared Features:

Video Calls

JubileeTV won the crucial showdown of top features: communications. 



The TV's larger display and more powerful speakers better accommodated my mom's nearsightedness and hearing impairment, outperforming a smaller tablet.



Additionally, the TV's stationary nature, as opposed to a tablet's portability, reduces the risk of missed calls due to misplacement. 



JubileeTV's auto-answer feature, not available on Grandpad, further ensured hassle-free call reception.

First Quarter Score:

  • Jubilee - 7  (1 touchdown)
  • Grandpad - 0

Activity FeedJubileeTV also excelled in the Activity Feeds comparison.
‍
While both devices offer this feature through their mobile apps, Grandpad's Activity Feed focuses on historical data, such as the most-used apps over the past month.

In contrast, JubileeTV's Activity Feed provides real-time updates on TV activity, granting a valuable advantage: peace of mind—or its absence, which is equally crucial. When my mom watched TV for 6 hours straight day after day, it was a clear sign for me to visit and encourage physical activity.

JubileeTV shared actionable data while Grandpad did not.

Second Quarter Score:

  • Jubilee - 14 (2 touchdowns)  
  • Grandpad - 0

Photo SharingI see this as a draw between JubileeTV and Grandpad, though personally, I didn't prioritize it over JubileeTV's other features—nor did many of its users. This leads me to question the overall value of Grandpad if photo sharing is indeed one of its top three features as mentioned by their sales team.

Field goal for each side.

First Quarter Score:

  • Jubilee - 17

(2 touchdowns, 1 field goal)

  • Grandpad - 3 (1 field goal)
JubileeTV has a first half lead but let's check out the top features not shared by both devices.
Top Independent Features:
Phone Calls (Grandpad)

Grandpad wins because this is not available on JubileeTV.

Touchdown!
Voice Remote (JubileeTV)
Since this feature caters to a fundamentally different product (television, as opposed to Grandpad's internet focus), I will not award any points here.

3rd Quarter Score:

  • Jubilee - 17 (2 touchdowns, 1 field goal)
  • Grandpad - 10 (1 touchdown, 1 field goal)
Only a one score difference. Grandpad is not far behind, another touchdown ties it. 

Let's

look at the two remaining top independent features:
Help App (Grandpad)


I'm uncertain if this is truly a beneficial feature if the product is meant to simplify internet use on its own. Essentially, it feels like you're paying for customer support so that the product can be used. I'll credit a field goal here.
Remote Control App (JubileeTV)
Evaluating this feature alongside Grandpad's Help App, my feelings are also mixed.On one hand, it's my favorite feature on JubileeTV, sparing numerous support calls and visits. On the other hand, it also implies that JubileeTV isn't entirely self-sufficient, needing some support from me, albeit practically effortless support. However, the product continues to do what it says it does: make TV easy for your parents, while I can't say Grandpad does the same; Grandpad's tablet does not replace my mom's desktop computer.
Top Independent Features:

Final Score:

  • Final Score: 
Jubilee - 24 (3 touchdowns, 1 field goal)
  • Grandpad - 13 (1 touchdown, 2 field goals)
Top Independent Features:
Device
Hardware
Subscription (Mo)
Subscription (Year)
JubileeTV
$99
$29
$269
Grandpad
$0
$95
$780
All in, JubileeTV is 53% less expensive in the first year (with the annual subscription). In the following years, the cost advantage grows, making JubileeTV 66% cheaper than Grandpad (with the annual subscription).



This is a significant cost difference, especially considering that JubileeTV is a superior communications device with a greater feature set.

Winner: JubileeTV

‍My mom and I will be sticking with JubileeTV as a family communications device and we'll save a pretty penny from not using Grandpad for internet. 



The desktop computer is here to stay, for the foreseeable future, but my mom's television troubles are effectively gone.

Senior Tech Insider