IBM To Make Cell Phones More User-Friendly (IBM, NOK)

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has initiated a new program for making cell phones more user-friendly, as it looks to tap hitherto ignored market segments. These markets consist of elderly and non-tech savvy people. IBM’s new two-year program is targeted at these segments.

Ben Wood, research director at British consultancy CCS Insight, said, “"As the population in Europe and North America ages, the need for specialized mobile devices will become acute. Phone makers will have to adapt if they want to appeal to a generation that has grown up with mobile devices, but can't use them in the ways they used to."

Major handset companies such as Samsung, and Nokia (ADR) (NYSE: NOK) have in the past produced phones with simpler designs, with such users in mind.