Apple, IBM Handing Out Free Ipads To Japanese Seniors

(RTTNews) - Apple Inc. (AAPL), International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and Japan Post Group on Thursday announced a new inititative that will deliver iPads with IBM-developed apps and analytics to improve the quality of life for millions of elderly people in Japan.

The new initiative is built on the global partnership Apple and IBM announced in July last year.

With iPads and apps custom developed for the elderly, Japan Post Group will be able to extend and enhance its national Watch Over service that sends personnel to the homes of elderly customers to check in on their well-being for a monthly fee.

Japan Post Group will begin the pilot service in the second half of this year, expanding it in stages with the objective of including 4 million to 5 million customers in Japan by 2020.

The companies plan to launch the service in Japan because of its large population of aging citizens. More than 33 million seniors make up about 25% of Japan's population, projected to grow to 40% over the next 40 years.

"This initiative has potential for global impact, as many countries face the challenge of supporting an aging population, and we are honored to be involved in supporting Japan's senior citizens and helping enrich their lives," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "iPad is incredibly intuitive, easy to use and has accessibility features built in, making it a perfect device for any generation to be connected and engaged."

"What we're starting today draws on IBM's long heritage of innovation at the intersection of technology, business and society," said Ginni Rometty, President, Chairman and CEO of IBM. "The potential we see here -- as broad as national economics and as specific as the quality of life of individuals and their families -- is one example of the potential of mobile-led transformation anywhere in the world where issues of an aging population exist."