Kodak to launch branded smartphone and tablet range

Imaging company Kodak is to launch a branded smartphone and tablet range in a partnership with UK-based mobile device manufacturer Bullitt Group. The devices, which will run on the Android platform, will come pre-loaded with bespoke image capture, management and sharing features.

According to Bullitt, the devices will be targeted at consumers wanting a high-end experience but who find other devices increasingly complicated to use. “Kodak is one of the world’s most recognisable brands,” Oliver Schulte, CEO of Bullitt Mobile said.

“It is trusted by consumers as a marque of quality and innovation. We’ve taken that heritage and used it to inspire a range of beautifully designed devices that will let users take great pictures and edit, share, store and print them in an instant.”

Bullitt claimed there is a gap in the market for a mobile phone that offers both appealing design and user-experience, especially in terms of imaging features. “Delivering simplicity without compromise, these devices will address a segment of the mobile device market that has been poorly served to date,” Schulte said.

“By giving customers easy access to printing and sharing services while still offering the latest Android OS and features found on high-end smartphones, we will appeal to a large audience of users who value ease of use and stylish design as highly as they value functionality.”

Eileen Murphy, VP Brand Licensing at Kodak said: “Kodak is excited to be entering the mobile handset market with the Bullitt Group. We are impressed with Bullitt Group’s commitment to delivering a portfolio of products that embrace the quality and innovation that our brand is known for around the world.”

The first Kodak-branded handsets will be launched at the CES event held in Las Vegas in January 2015. Despite the claims form Bullitt and Kodak this range of devices will fill a gap in the market, the fact remains the Android marketplace is already a crowded one. It remains to be seen if there really is demand for this series of phones, and  it could come down to the quality and ease of use of the imaging features and services.