Published: March 14, 2011
The Wait is Almost Over - Kyocera Echo , the Nation's First Dual-Touchscreen Smartphone, to Launch April 17 Only at Sprint
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN DIEGO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sprint
(NYSE: S) and Kyocera
Communications Inc. today announced availability of Kyocera Echo ,
the nation's first dual-touchscreen smartphone, on April 17 in all
Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com)
and Telesales (1-800-Sprint1). The innovative Android device will sell
for $199.99 (excludes taxes) with a new two-year service agreement or
eligible upgrade*. Beginning March 26, consumers can visit www.sprint.com/echo
to "Reserve Now" and be among of the first to get their hands on Echo.
Kyocera Echo in Simul-task mode (Photo: Business Wire)
"Continuing to set the bar high in Android innovation, Sprint is
thrilled to bring this industry-first device to the market," said Fared
Adib, vice president Product, Sprint. "Kyocera Echo's unique
dual-screen, Simul-tasking capabilities allow customers to do things
they have never before done on a wireless handset. We believe customers
will really appreciate and leverage the dual-screen capabilities and are
excited to partner with Kyocera to bring this innovation to Sprint
customers.
Rave reviews
Announced in early February, Echo already has received rave reviews from
industry insiders. According to Boy Genius Report, "Kyocera Echo
is unlike any other device we have ever seen, and it's truly
innovative." Phonescoop also touted, "[Echo] is one of the most
unique Android phones we've ever seen."
Innovative features
Kyocera Echo features two high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen
displays connected by a three-dimensional "pivot hinge" that enables the
two displays to operate independently, side-by-side or combined to form
an oversized 4.7-inch (diagonal) integrated display. The Super Copper
Alloy hinge is so unique it has six patents pending, and so tough it has
passed severe durability testing.
"The industry response to this innovative device has been overwhelmingly
positive, confirming the need for a pocket-size multitasking handset
with a tablet-like experience," said Yasuhiro Ohishi, vice president of
sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "With the multitude
of Android apps available for download, Echo is an ideal tool for
today's multimedia, multitasking lifestyles."
Kyocera Echo operates on the Android 2.2 operating system and has access
to more than 150,000 apps in Android Market . Available at www.echobykyocera.com
are videos showing Echo's unique functionality and a complete look at
the phone's specifications and features, which include:
-
Sprint's nationwide 3G network and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
-
Wi-Fi hotspot capability, which supports wireless connections for up
to five devices
-
5-megapixel camera with flash, autofocus and digital zoom
-
720p HD camcorder to quickly capture those on-the-go memorable moments
-
Corporate (Exchange ActiveSync) and personal (POP & IMAP)
e-mail, IM (Google Talk ), text messaging
-
Stereo Bluetooth 2.1 (+ EDR)
-
Full HTML Web browser with Google Search
-
1 gigabyte (GB) of onboard memory and an 8GB microSD card for the
external memory card slot, which supports cards up to 32GB
Reserve Now
Sprint is offering customers a unique opportunity to reserve Kyocera
Echo for purchase. Through the reservation process, customers will be
able to reserve their devices online, pick them up in a Sprint Store,
and receive the full retail experience, including Sprint's Ready Now
service. In addition, Sprint customers visiting the Echo site will also
have the opportunity to win an Echo in the "Duel for Dual Sweepstakes."
Beginning March 15, customers can use their "sharp-shooting" skills to
compete against others to win their first dual-screen smartphone.
Customers can reserve their Echo for purchase at www.sprint.com/echo
beginning Saturday, March 26, while supplies last. Customers who reserve
Kyocera Echo will be able to complete their purchases beginning at 9
a.m. ET on March 26, and must complete their purchases no later than
April 14 at 9 p.m. ET. The devices will be available for pick up on
April 17.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers,
businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 49.9
million customers at the end of 2010 and is widely recognized for
developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including
the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United
States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid
brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance
Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities;
and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in
its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest
companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn
more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com
or www.facebook.com/sprint
and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Kyocera Communications Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera- and
Sanyo-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The
company's devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications,
broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the
combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo
Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera
International Inc. The former was created when Kyocera purchased
QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while
the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business
of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages
Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around
humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a
Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design
language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information,
please visit http://www.kyocera-wireless.com
or follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones.
Kyocera
Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/),
the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in
1959 as a producer of fine
ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these
engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with
other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of
telecommunications equipment, office-document imaging equipment, solar
power generating systems, semiconductor packages, electronic components,
cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31,
2010, the company's net sales totaled 1.07 trillion yen (approximately
US $11.5 billion). Kyocera marked its 50th anniversary in 2009, and the
40th anniversary of its U.S. operations. It is ranked #554 on Forbes
magazine's 2010 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly
traded companies.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Please visit www.sprint.com/newsroom
for a product fact sheet and downloadable images.
*Requires activation on Everything plan with data plus $10/month Premium
Data add-on charge. Pricing excludes surcharges and taxes.
(c) 2011 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera and Echo are registered
trademarks of Kyocera Corporation. Exchange ActiveSync is a registered
trademark of Microsoft. Android and Android Market are trademarks of
Google Inc.; use of these trademarks is subject to Google
Permissions. Bluetooth mark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG
Inc. and any use of such mark is under license. microSD is a trademark
of SanDisk Corporation. All other marks are properties of their
respective owners.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6646238&lang=en
Sprint
Nichole Cappitelli, 949-748-3364
Nichole.Cappitelli@sprint.com
or
Kyocera
Communications Inc.
John Chier, 858-882-3543
john.chier@kyocera.com
or
for
Kyocera Communications
Melody Parrette, 858-361-9731
melody@lpicommunications.com
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