Fujitsu Seniors Smartphone for U.S.
Fujitsu announces plan to sell their Raku Raku (simple) smartphone, designed for seniors, in the U.S. market: http://bit.ly/VvtfJU
Better late than never.. any bets they target distribution with Soft-Sprint..?!? [Eds]
Fujitsu Ltd. plans to release smartphones outside Japan in 2013 for the first time by targeting senior citizens with user-friendly devices.
With Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. dominating the smartphone field for young people, Fujitsu saw a marketing opportunity to make smartphones with easy-to-read display images, larger letters and increased volume that will attract seniors. Masami Yamamoto, Fujitsu president, unveiled the strategy Dec. 27 during an interview with eight media outlets, including The Asahi Shimbun.
Although Fujitsu was at the top in mobile phone shipments, including smartphones, in Japan in fiscal 2011, Yamamoto said, “As the Japanese market has already hit a peak, we have to sell devices overseas to increase our sales numbers.” Taking projected overseas sales into account, the company expects its mobile phone shipments to rise from 8 million units in fiscal 2012 to 10 million in fiscal 2014.
As part of its overseas strategy, Fujitsu will sell its “Raku-Raku Smartphone” (easy-to-use smartphone) in the United States and Europe after making certain modifications for each country. Fujitsu released the Raku-Raku Smartphone in Japan this past summer. See full story via Asahi Shimbun.