Fujitsu RakuRaku IV phone

Fujitsu has announced the RakuRaku IV, the latest in its line of phones aimed at Japanese seniors, as well as those who just want extreme ease-of-use. In simple terms, this involves features such large buttons and a 2.6-inch LCD, which in turn uses large fonts; it also uses noise reduction to enhance the user's voice, and sound leveling to improve reception quality. Unlike similarly-themed North American phones however, the IV boasts a camera, a GPS receiver and mapping software, complete with navigational alerts.

Its most unusual feature is an optional external pen scanner, an alternative for composing e-mail: by selecting images in an accompanying booklet, users can avoid the hassle of manually inputting kanji. The new RakuRaku should launch in blue, pink and silver colors by the end of August, costing 12,800 yen ($108). [via Akihabara News]

By Electronista Staff