Fujitsu's Smartphone for Seniors Coming to UK/US in 2013

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The Raku Raku was designed for older smartphone users.

Fujitsu has announced that it will next year bring its Raku Raku smartphone to the UK and U.S. Aimed at the older generation and introduced to Japan earlier this year, the phone doesn't skimp on features. It packs a 1.4 GHz processor, Android 4.0 (also known as Ice Cream Sandwich), a 4-inch display, and an 8-megapixel camera.

Fujitsu launched the Raku Raku last year to cater to Japan's aging population. The home screen features weather and call widgets and the phone itself boasts large fonts, bigger icons, and noise cancelling and voice slowing features that make it easier to hear callers. Despite running Android 4.0, the phone does not have access to the Google Play store, which is a bit of a bummer.

Fujitsu didn't detail pricing, nor did it specify when we might expect the phone to arrive in the UK and U.S. So far, all we know is that it has been confirmed for the UK and U.S. markets and will arrive sometime in 2013. We'll keep you posted!

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Jane McEntegart
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • shikamaru31789
    Sounds like a good idea, like a smartphone version of the Jitterbug. Maybe I'll get some for my grandparents to replace their old phones that they can't even hear calls on half the time.
    Reply
  • Arls
    +1 My mum's eye's are getting so bad she would make calls on a tablet if she could.
    Reply
  • ojas
    It honestly doesn't need the Play Store, IMO. I think this is perhaps one of the most utilitarian smartphones out there...
    Reply
  • mrmaia
    Also agree on the lack of need of the Store, old folks will use it for calls ONLY mostly. I think it'll be a huge hit.
    Reply
  • tului
    I disagree on the play store. My mom and dad, both 62, download and use Skype as well as Yahoo messenger. They also play Angry Birds, Bad Piggies and other games. If you can sideload apps, I might opt for a phone like this. If it's completely locked down, it's a no go. No company should decide that an end user does or doesn't need access to other software. It's almost as bad as those el cheapo tablets that come with crapjar market or whatever it's called.
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    Elderly people and smart phones - Fail.

    When we become of age, we're going to miss push button phones with big buttons. Maybe we'll have use for something like Microsoft Kinect. Put the two together? Kinect Phone?

    I just don't see people like stroke victims or other dibilitating conditions into Smartphones.
    Reply