IBM has started a programme wherein the IT major will be running a two-year research and developing mobile phones that easier to use which are targeted to be sold to the elderly and the illiterates.

While the research includes parties like the National Institute of Design of India and Tokyo University, IBM has affirmed the fact that the research will be available on an open source basis. In fact, the company is even confident that it will be making the products developed under the program publicly available for governments and businesses.

Major handset manufacturers have agreed on the fact that the company touched the sweet spot as far as the research is concerned as other handset majors have not focused on that market. With the handset sales growing at a much-lesser pace as desired, the companies are looking top tap the segments of elders and illiterates. Ironically, players like Nokia have manufactured phones with big buttons and simple design but have always shied away to target it to the elders.

On the other end, players like family-owned Emporia and Sweden's Doro have been very successful in tapping these markets. Austrian Emporia solely focuses on the segment of elders for the last few years and the apt reading of the market has reaped the company rich dividends.