Japanese smartphone aimed at elderly users

TOKYO, July 17 (UPI) -- Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu says its new smartphone for elderly users has a unique touchscreen and a simplified Android interface.

Japan's aging population is the target of the new F-12D phone from Fujitsu's RakuRaku line, from the Japanese for "easy" or "comfortable," SlashGear reported Tuesday.

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.

The touchscreen 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 touchscreen difficult and frustrating to use.

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

The phone will go on sale in Japan in August from NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest carrier, and Fujitsu said it is looking at the global market as well.