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Official: Sprint reveals Kyocera Echo dual screen Android smartphone

Michael Kwan — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:35:08 +0000

Just as we heard earlier today, a brand new smartphone has arrived on the scene. The Kyocera Echo, to be sold exclusively through Sprint, is the only Google Android smartphone that comes with two touchscreen displays.

The initial form factor will look familiar to many people. In its “closed” form, you get access to a single 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen. The landscape slide can pop open, though, revealing not a hardware QWERTY keyboard or dedicated gaming controls, but instead another 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen.

What’s interesting is that you can operate the two displays independently or you can combine them to make an oversized 4.7-inch “integrated display.” The former sounds like a cool idea for multitasking, whereas the latter is better suited to the “optimized mode” where you use an “optimized app” to fill both screens. Maybe the bottom screen can be a virtual QWERTY keyboard while the top screen keeps showing your Facebook or e-mail, for example.

Aside from the dual displayness, the Kyocera Echo is pretty middle of the road as far as specs. There’s Android 2.2, Sprint 3G (no 4G love yet), 5MP cam, 720hp HD recording, Snapdragon QSD8650 1GHz processor, 1GB memory, and stereo Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.

In a sea of Android smartphones that look stunningly similar to one another, it’s good to see someone brave enough to go way out there. The stumbling block, I’d imagine, is getting enough devs to fiddle with the SDK to create these “optimized” apps. That and a “Kyocera” is still a hard sell compared to Apple, HTC, or Samsung.

Look for it “this spring” for $199.99 on a two-year contract. More info can be found at EchoByKyocera.com.

Kyocera Echo, Exclusively from Sprint, Revolutionizes the Android Experience as the First Dual-Touchscreen Smartphone

NEW YORK (BUSINESS WIRE), February 07, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced the first dual-touchscreen Android™ smartphone, Kyocera Echo™, exclusively from Sprint. This Android-powered device features two high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen displays connected by a patent-pending “pivot hinge” that enables the two displays to operate independently, side-by-side or combined to form an oversized 4.7-inch (diagonally) integrated display.

Until now, a single screen on a smartphone could only be used to complete one task at a time, even with limited multitasking capabilities available on some smartphones. Kyocera Echo’s second screen provides the ability to do two things at the same time and get more done – send an email on one screen while surfing the web on the other, watch a video on one screen while texting on the other, comparison shop online with one web site on each screen and so much more.

Images and video of Kyocera Echo’s dynamic design in action are available now at www.echobykyocera.com. Pre-registration begins today at www.sprint.com/echo.

In its closed position, Kyocera Echo is a pocket-friendly, single-display smartphone. When opened, Kyocera Echo reveals a revolutionary new platform for wireless multitasking and gives customers a new level of versatility in Android. Its innovative hardware and optimized software enables consumers to use the touchscreens in four unique ways:

Single-Screen Mode with all the functionality of a single-display, touch-screen smartphone.
Simul-Task™ Mode with two of the phone’s seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue™) running concurrently but independently on the dual displays – e.g., reading e-mail on one screen and opening a text message on the other; checking Facebook® via the browser on one screen while looking through a photo gallery on the other; or even searching the Web on one screen and checking email on the other.
Optimized Mode with both displays supporting a single, optimized app with complementary functionality and enhanced usability – e.g., composing e-mail on one screen with a touchscreen keyboard on the other; watching a YouTube™ video on one display while browsing and queuing additional YouTube videos on the other (with a preloaded Kyocera app called VueQue™); or viewing gallery images on one display while browsing image thumbnails on the other.
Tablet Mode with one application spread across both displays for a full 4.7-inch viewing area. Tablet Mode is ideal for viewing maps, videos, websites, detailed documents, and long lists on-the-go.

“Sprint is proud to boast the most powerful Android portfolio available today and Echo adds to that legacy with industry-leading technology that will change the way our customers use smartphones,” said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. “Today’s busy schedules often demand that we do at least two things at once. Kyocera Echo is the first device that allows us to do a different task on each of two screens while also providing a tablet-like, larger screen experience that easily fits in a pocket when closed.”

Kyocera Echo will be available this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $100 mail-in rebate in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-Sprint1). Pricing excludes surcharges and taxes.

“For years Kyocera has provided handsets to Sprint’s Prepaid Group and MVNOs, as well as to Sprint under the Sanyo brand,” said Eiichi Toriyama, president of Kyocera Communications Inc. “We value greatly our relationship with Sprint and we are thrilled that they have chosen Echo as the standout product with which to reintroduce its customers to the Kyocera brand. With Kyocera Echo, we are proud to give Sprint an iconic, industry-changing device that delivers an entirely new experience for smartphone users.”

Kyocera Echo also includes customized apps optimized for the dual-screen Optimized Mode experience including VueQue™, which lets users watch a YouTube video on one display while browsing, queuing and buffering additional YouTube videos on the other display. Additional applications optimized for the dual-screen experience include:

Messaging and e-mail: Users can turn the device horizontally and use the top display to view the e-mail/message application while using the lower display as a full-sized virtual keyboard.
Browser: Takes the browser experience of a standard 3.5-inch smartphone and enhances it, allowing users to view two websites simultaneously.
Gallery: Users can scroll through thumbnail images on one screen while viewing an enlarged image on the other.
Contacts/phone: Users can view more of the phone’s contact directory or an expanded virtual dial pad.

Beyond the dual touchscreen innovation, Kyocera Echo operates on the Android 2.2 system and has access to more than 100,000 apps in Android Market™ – everything from Facebook to Angry Birds. Additional key features 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
Media player with a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
Stereo Bluetooth® 2.1 (+ EDR)
Full HTML Web browser with Google Search™
1GHz Snapdragon processor (QSD 8650 Android)
1 gigabyte (GB) of onboard memory and an 8GB microSD™ card for the external memory card slot supporting cards up to 32GB
Voice and text prompts in both English and Spanish

Kyocera Echo comes packaged with a spare battery (1370 mAh) and a low-profile charging cradle. Along with charging the spare battery independently of the phone, the charging cradle also can tether the spare to Kyocera Echo as an external power supply.

Additional Google™ features include Google Maps™, Google Talk™, Gmail™, synchronization with Google Calendar™, and access to Google Goggles™ to search with pictures instead of words. With Sprint, Kyocera Echo users have access to Sprint Zone™, providing one-stop wireless account access, phone tips, news, a list of top apps plus TeleNav GPS Navigator, Sprint TV and Movies® and more.

A Software Development Kit (SDK) and developer guide for Kyocera Echo will be available before the launch on the Sprint Application Developer Program (ADP) website at http://developer.sprint.com/android. The developer guide will provide details on developing for a dual-screen handset and Android 2.2 device. It also will provide information on how to take advantage of Kyocera Echo’s unique hardware and software capabilities on the Sprint Network. The Sprint ADP has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

Some competitors may offer lower prices, but Sprint customers get more with unlimited data while on the Sprint Network with their monthly plan. Sprint offers real simplicity, value and savings vs. competitors, making it easy for customers to get the most out of their phones without using a calculator to tally up costs or worrying about how much data they’ve used.

Kyocera Echo requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month vs. Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web, and $35 per month vs. AT&T’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and just 2GB of data (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes.)

Sprint Everything Data plans qualify for automatic enrollment in the Sprint PremierSM loyalty program1. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.

An optional charge of just $29.99 per month turns on Kyocera Echo’s mobile hotspot feature, connecting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, gaming devices and digital cameras, at 3G speeds anywhere on the Sprint 3G network (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

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Kyocera Echo Android phone at Sprint event today

Michael Kwan — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:09:08 +0000

You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right Android phone, but Kyocera may not necessarily be the first name to comes to mind. Even so, Sprint subscribers will soon have another Google-y alternative in the form of the Kyocera Echo.

Not much is known about this phone aside from the fact that it’s coming to Sprint and it’s made by Kyocera. The smartphone depicted here is not the Echo; I believe it’s a Kyocera-branded version of the Sanyo Zio, which is already sold through Sprint. They are saying that this is an “industry first” announcement, though, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Echo differentiates itself from the Motos, Samsungs, and HTCs of the world.

A Sprint event is scheduled for later today in Times Square in New York and it’ll be accompanied by David Blaine. Maybe with some of his magical powers, he can help propel Sprint a little higher than third place nationwide?

[BWeek]

UPDATE: It seems that the Kyocera Echo will have dual 3.5-inch touchscreens, allowing you to drag items from one screen to the other.

UPDATE #2: The Kyocera Echo has been formally announced by Sprint. $199.99 on contract.

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Sanyo’s best waterproof HD camcorder to date?

Michael Kwan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:53:00 +0000

Sanyo Exacti VPC-CA102YL waterproof (to 10 feet) HD camcorder

Are you planning on visiting beautiful beaches and hitting up some waves? If so, it might be worthwhile to take a look at the new Sanyo Xacti VPC-CA102YL waterproof camcorder.

It’s not the first time that Sanyo has come forward with one of its water-friendly video recorders, but this one comes loaded with plenty of great specs. The latest addition to the Xacti line captures memories at a full HD (1920×1080), gets in close with 12x double-range zoom, and lets you view it all on the 2.7-inch LCD screen.

I wouldn’t recommend taking the Sanyo VPC-CA102YL with you when you scuba-diving, but the 10 feet of water submersion support makes it great for a snorkeling trip. And it comes in every color that you desire, so long as it’s yellow.

That’s the good news. The $350 price point is pretty good too. You do have to wait just a little while though, since the Sanyo VPC-CA102YL isn’t available right now. It’ll launch a little later this month.

[Gizmodo]

SANYO Takes Underwater Full HD Video to a Whole New Level

1080 Full HD Videos and 14MP Photos from Ten Feet Underwater to the Top of the Slopes

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ — SANYO North America Corporation (SANYO), introduces a new waterproof Full HD (1920 x 1080) Dual Camera Xacti, model VPC-CA102YL, for active lifestyles. The new Dual Camera can be used to record over 480 minutes of 1080 Full HD video on a single 64GB SDXC memory card and 14MP photos from a depth of ten feet underwater. The camera will be available for purchase in August with an MSRP of $349.99.

Designed for any indoor or outdoor adventure, the VPC-CA102YL fits perfectly in the palm of the user’s hand and is small enough to be carried in a pocket, backpack, or purse — ready to be used at any time and in any weather condition. SANYO Dual Cameras use a convenient video format, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, which makes sharing videos online, on blogs or on other multimedia sites simple. The media created can also be easily edited and exported to portable media devices. Photos and videos can be displayed in Full HD resolution on high definition TVs.

“Dual Cameras are packed with features and offer incredible flexibility,” says Tom Van Voy, Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Solutions Division for SANYO North America. “This is the ‘take everywhere’ camera; water, snow, or land. Getting great HD video and still images is incredibly easy with the new CA102YL,” said Van Voy.

The camera uses a proprietary “double-range zoom” feature for zoom operation while filming video with 12x zoom available from wide angle to telephoto for capturing distant objects (equivalent to 40mm to 480 mm zoom in a 35mm film camera). In addition, the High-Speed Sequential Shooting mode enables capturing up to 22 photos at 7 frames per second.

The VPC-CA102YL is stylish and compact with a yellow, vertical-shaped body with gray accents. The new SANYO high-speed image processing engine contributes to the small size.

Files can be saved to SD, SDHC or ultra-high capacity SDXC (up to 2Tb) memory cards. Also, there are multiple video and photo modes for flexibility in memory use. The battery will allow approximately 60 minutes of continuous filming time in Full HD mode.

Main Features: VPC-CA102YL

• Full-HD videos, 1080 60i (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• 14MP photos
• Waterproof (can be used in water up to 10 ft depth)
• Compact, vertical form factor
• CMOS sensor (14.4MP)
• 38 mm wide-angle lens
• 5x optical zoom, 12x double-range zoom
• Compatible with SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards
• Wireless data transfer via Eye-Fi SD cards*
• 2.7-inch TFT LCD display (can be turned 285 degrees)
• “Face Chaser” and “Target a Color” functions
• Mini-HDMI port
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Rechargeable via USB port
• Stylish yellow body with gray accents
• Size: 3.37 x 1.47 x 4.34 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: approx. 5.5 ounces

*Eye-Fi memory cards are sold separately, and specifications subject to change
For more information about the SANYO VPC-CA102YL please visit http://www.us.sanyo.com/Dual-Cameras.

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Sanyo Juno QWERTY phone gets colorful on Boost Mobile

Michael Kwan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:21:09 +0000

Kyocera Juno in Pink and Blue, from Boost Mobile

I haven’t seen a new Kyocera phone for some time, but it seems that the Japanese company is still around and kicking. The newest phone doesn’t carry direct Kyocera branding, per se, but it is the Sanyo Juno by Kyocera and it’s heading to Boost Mobile.

From what I can see, the Juno is not a smartphone. Instead, it’s another one of those QWERTY-packing messaging phones designed for texting enthusiasts and other people who can’t be bothered with full smartphone functionality. It sure looks like it could be a Windows Mobile handset though, don’t you think?

Clearly catering to a slightly younger demographic, Boost Mobile is offering the Sanyo Juno in your choice of two colors: impulsive pink and deep blue. I guess that’s supposed to be the girl and boy versions of the phone?

The rest of the specs on the phone, aside from the QWERTY keyboard, aren’t that exciting. You get a 1.3 megapixel camera, “fun editing features,” and easy-to-use menu icons on the 2.2-inch display. The one-click texting button is a nice touch, but it’s not really enough phone for me.

Look for the Sanyo Juno at your local Boost Mobile store in the next few weeks, or you can buy it online at boostmobile.com today for $99.99.

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Sanyo dual cameras shoot full HD video, 14MP stills

Michael Kwan — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:24:37 +0000

We’ve seen no shortage of pocket camcorders on the market, but only a select few have the ability to take still photographs too. Giving you that much-needed double functionality are three new Sanyo dual cameras: VPC-GH2, VPC-CG102, and VPC-CG20.

The Sanyo VPC-GH2 takes on a conventional horizontal camcorder form factor, but it is still compact enough for easy travel. You get the ability to shoot your videos in full HD 1080 60i and take 14-megapixel stills.

It has a 4x optical zoom lens that can be bumped up to 12x with the double-range zoom, which combines both a wide-angle and telephoto zoom. The “Face Chaser” and “Target a Color” functions are quite unique too. Look for the VPC-GH2 to launch this March for $229.

Switching to the vertical form factor are the VPC-CG102 and the VPC-CG20. The Sanyo VPC-CG102 is the more expensive of the two at $229, featuring full HD videos, 38mm wide-angle lens, 2.7-inch TFT, stylish black color, and a mini-HDMI port.

The VPC-CG20 is $199 and it gets many of the same features, like the full HD video and 2.7-inch screen, but it only has a 10.7 megapixel CMOS sensor and 5x optical zoom. There is no 12x double-range zoom, but you save thirty bucks. It also launches in March.

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Sanyo Incognito SCP-6760 QWERTY Phone for Sprint

Michael Kwan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:38:23 +0000

You could be getting pretty excited about a new BlackBerry or maybe the HTC Hero, but Sprint has a more mainstream offering for those of you who don’t want a smartphone. The Sanyo Incognito SCP-6760 may look like a fairly standard phone, but it comes with a couple of highlights that buck the trend just a little.

For starters, you get a classy titanium black mirrored external finish with a small OLED external display. Underneath that is a glow-through keypad that stays relatively hidden when not in use.

What about your messaging and mobile web needs? Flip open the phone like a book and you get a 2.6-inch QVGA internal display and a full QWERTY keyboard, not unlike what you get with the LG KEYBO or something similar.

Rounding out the specs are a 2.0 megapixel camera, parental controls, microSD slot, Bluetooth, wireless backup, and a multimedia player. Expect the phone to drop on Cyber Monday for $50 with a two-year contract and a $50 rebate.

Source: Slashphone

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