Rakuten Shashinkan, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Takayuki Asami; hereinafter “Rakuten Shashinkan”), a leading Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service that enables consumers to share, print and preserve their memories, on June 26 launched “Smartphone Print”, a free iPhone app that enables users to order photo prints directly from an iPhone.
“Smartphone Print” is a free app where users can order prints of favorite photos taken with their iPhone and/or edited with popular photo apps like Instagram*. With the specifications of smartphone cameras improving rapidly, an environment has developed in which users are taking photos with smartphones that are close to the same quality as those taken with a digital camera. Coupled with the explosion of Camera Apps available on the App Store, Rakuten Shashinkan developed this app with great emphasis on the user experience.
The app displays iPhone Camera Roll images in a calendar format, which makes searching for precious daily memories a breeze; adding those photos to the cart is even easier. The app also lets users print square photos, perfect for photos taken/edited with popular apps such as Instagram. “Smartphone Print” makes it easy for users to gift photos from their iPhone to family and friends, and to enjoy their own photo in new and exciting ways.
Rakuten Shashinkan also began a “sharing discount” where users can get free shipping for their orders if they introduce the app on Facebook and/or Twitter, and share it with their family and friends. Finally, Rakuten Super Points are awarded with each purchase (1 point per 100 yen). Accordingly, existing points can also be redeemed when an order is placed (1 point is equivalent to 1 yen).
Rakuten Shashinkan is working to further enhance its photo services in order to assist users in preserving their memories, and will continue to offer users new ways to enjoy photos.
* Instagram is an app that enables users to take, edit, and share photos.