Fujitsu designs phone for the elderly

Computerworld reports.

The F-12D phone is the latest in Fujitsu's popular "RakuRaku" line, a series of feature phones with simplified features aimed at Japan's ageing population. The phrase "rakuraku" means "easy" or "comfortable" in Japanese.

Fujitsu said it collaborated with Google to design a phone that would not overwhelm or confuse elderly users while using it, with a simplified user interface featuring larger text and buttons and only vertical scrolling, UPI.com notes.

The touch-screen was specifically designed for first-time users who aren't yet used to the technology, Fujitsu said, as their tests found many elderly users found the typical touch-screen difficult and frustrating to use.

As a result, the touch-screen on the F-12D has been designed to give a little when pressed, to give the feeling of pressing a physical button.

According to TechRadar, the smartphone is currently only scheduled to release in Japan, arriving in stores this August.

Fujitsu also says it is eager to bring the F-12D to foreign markets though, so it may not be too long before quite literally everyone and their grandparent will have a smartphone.