Casio 2008 Annual Report Download - page 12

Cellular Phones
The cell phone market in Japan has reached
maturity, with the replacement cycle
showing a lengthening trend. The number
of cell phones sold per annum is expected
to record year-on-year declines from here
onward. Amid this difficult environment,
makers need to make optimum use of
unique proprietary technologies so as to
bring to market products that can draw in
customers.
During the reporting period, Casio
launched a number of new cell phone
models embodying the toughness,
clear moving images, and high-quality
camera features for which its handsets
are renowned. Most notable among
these were the Exilim W53CA cell phone,
which features a 5.1-megapixel camera;
the W53H, with a 2.8-inch-wide QVGA
organic EL display; and the W61CA,
which is a water-resistant cell phone
with a 5.1-megapixel camera compatible
with “one-segment” terrestrial digital
broadcasting, reflecting recent trends in
cell phone development. All three models
became hit products among users of the au
cell-phone service. Casio aims to continue
launching attractive handsets with the
goal of expanding its market share. At the
moment, we are preparing to launch a
WCDMA handset on the Japanese market
in the latter half of the current fiscal year,
ending March 2009.
On overseas markets, we continue to
expand our lineup of products, mainly for
supply to Verizon Wireless of the United
States. We will focus on raising the brand
recognition of our G’zOne series of water-
resistant and shock-proof cell phones to
expand their business scale overseas.
W61CA
G’zOne TYPE-S for
Verizon Wireless
10 CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.