Rakuten, Inc. (“Rakuten,” Chairman and CEO: Hiroshi Mikitani, Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) announced that Rakuten Gateway, a Rakuten application that integrates Rakuten Internet service apps with website access, will be featured as a preinstalled application for the first time on the latest Android smartphone model from NTT DOCOMO, Inc. (“DOCOMO,” Chairman and CEO: Ryuji Yamada, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). The new phone, DOCOMO Smartphone AQUOS PHONE SH-12C (Sharp; hereinafter, “Aquos Phone SH-12C”), was released on May 20.
The preinstalled Rakuten Gateway allows Android smartphone users to view a list of multiple Rakuten services using one simple application. Moreover, Rakuten Gateway allows users will be able to easily customize and update the apps in a future upgrade. Because the icon for Rakuten Group’s Internet service is also displayed on the home screen users do not need to search for the individuals services, use bookmarks or history to locate the service. Users will now be able to manage multiple apps and icons in an integrated manner, and can use their Rakuten member login IDs to check their points and status.
Currently, the Rakuten Group already provides Rakuten Ichiba, e-money “Edy”, and Rakuten Travel apps for Android smartphones, one of the fastest growing app markets. Rakuten will continue to enhance the user experience of its Rakuten Gateway app and work to expand Rakuten services for the Android platform.
・ “AQUOS” and “AQUOS PHONE” are registered trademarks of the Sharp Corporation.
・ “Android” is a registered trademark of Google Inc.