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Sep

All Good (And Not So Good) Things Must Come To An End: HTC EVO 4G And Kyocera Echo Make Sprint's EOL List

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Echo, EVO 4G (Supersonic), News, Sprint

It's a bittersweet feeling when one of the most revolutionary devices to hit the market ends up on a carrier's EOL (End of Life) list. While it's generally realized that the device itself is old hat, its retirement indicates that newer, better, and more powerful devices are upon us.

This is the case for one of Android's most celebrated success stories: the HTC EVO 4G. According an internal Sprint document obtained by SprintFeed, the white variant of the EVO 4G will meet its demise at the end of this week, while the black one will hang on for just a while longer -- at least until the first part of October.

Sep

Sprint Officially Announces Mid-Range Kyocera Milano, Priced At Just $50 On-Contract

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Kyocera, News, Sprint

Just in time for its September 9 release, Sprint has officially announced the mid-range Kyocera Milano. The specs can't match up to some of Sprint's heavy hitters like the EVO 3D and Epic 4G Touch, but it's certainly a step up from some cheap feature phones:

3" display
3.2 megapixel camera
800 MHz processor
512 MB RAM
Android 2.3
Sprint ID
1490 mAH battery

It also includes an "Eco Mode," which appears to be custom software by Kyocera designed to help manage battery life - probably not much different from many apps in the Market that already do the same.

Aug

Mid-Range Kyocera Milano To Hit Sprint On September 9th

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Kyocera, News

It looks like Kyocera is giving this Android thing another go, this time in the form of a mid-range device set to hit Sprint on September 9th called the Milano. Sporting a 3-inch display, 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM, and Android 2.3, the Milano is nothing amazing, but if you're not looking for a powerhouse like the Epic 4G Touch, then this little daisy should work out just fine.

Not only that, but it won't break the bank, either -- the price is as small as the phone, at only $50 with a two-year agreement. Sounds like the perfect little phone for the youngster in the family.

Aug

Kyocera Echo Gingerbread Update Officially Confirmed, Brings WiFi Calling And NFC Support

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Android OS, Echo, Gingerbread 2.3, Kyocera, News, Sprint

Last week we got our hands on the Sprint Playbook which indicated that the Kyocera Echo would be receiving a firmware update to Android 2.3. Accordingly, a page has now gone live on the official Kyocera Echo webpage confirming that an update to Android 2.3.4 is imminent. By the looks of the Echo webpage this update will bring some major features and enhancements to this unique device.

As indicated in the Playbook the update will include Swype 3.0 with "Tap Correction and Horizontal Word Choice List" (i.e. predictive text), an improved "Downloads application", and the eponymous "Echo Mode" which is essentially an app to manage the device's battery.

Jul

Exclusive: Kyocera Echo Gingerbread Update Coming Starting August 1

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Android OS, Echo, Exclusives, Gingerbread 2.3, Kyocera, News, Sprint

Last Updated: June 5th, 2012

Today's Sprint Playbook just landed in our inbox, and one thing stands out: the Kyocera Echo will be receiving an update to Android 2.3. The update will be over the air (OTA), and will be rolled out across a four-day period beginning August 1 at a rate of 10%, 25%, 25%, 100%.

The details of the update (as shown in the screencap above):

Eco Mode
EAS enhancements
Swype 3.0
Miscellaneous security patches
Gingerbread Android OS software update

Including improved power management
Improved text input
Minor performance improvements
Manage Applications Control
Download Manager

[Thanks, Captain Anonymous!]

Apr

Wirefly Goes For A Detailed Hands-On With The Dual-Screen Kyocera Echo, We Wonder How Many Batteries They Swapped In The Process

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Echo, Kyocera, News, Sprint, Videos

You've already seen the very early unboxing of Sprint's upcoming dual-screen Kyocera Echo, and now Wirefly went for an even deeper, more detailed look at the UI itself and all the arguably cool things you can do with such an unconventional interface. The Echo has many people skeptical, but now you can at least try to decide for yourself whether the 2-screen design is a complete gimmick or not. One thing is for sure - if the manufacturer has to include 2 batteries straight in the box, don't expect any world records out of this power-sucker.

Oh, and I have a feeling TechCrunch won't be covering this one.

Mar

Wirefly Unboxes Kyocera Echo For Sprint, It Begs To Be Touched… Twice

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Echo, News, Sprint

Sprint has really been pushing people to get into the idea of their dual-screen Kyocera Echo ever since they announced it back in February. Naturally, there has been some resistance to this, but let's put the controversy aside and focus on the topic at hand for a moment, shall we?

The popular cell phone vendor Wirefly has gotten its hands on the first packaging of the Echo, and they were kind enough to do an unboxing for us.

A couple of noteworthy things about the Echo:

One of the main concerns with a dual-screen phone is battery life. Sprint/Kyocera have already addressed this by shipping the device with two 1360 mAH batteries.

Mar

Sprint Says "The Wait Is Almost Over" For The Two Guys Awaiting The Kyocera Echo - Launching April 17

Posted by Will Shanklin in Echo, Kyocera, News, Sprint

Sprint's just announced that the upcoming Kyocera Echo will be released on April 17 and will sell for $199 (on a two-year contract, of course). Customers will be able to reserve the dual-screen flippity doo starting March 26.

The novelty phone sports two displays, each 3.5" with a resolution of 800x480. It has a 1GHz single-core Snapdragon processor and will run Android 2.2 Froyo at launch. While innovative designs are always welcome, an overhyped unveiling (featuring illusionist David Blaine) and ho-hum specs have led some to ridicule Kyocera's latest Android device long before its release date was announced. It has not exactly been the most anticipated smartphone around the Android blogs, so the announcement that "The Wait is Almost Over" in Sprint's press release is sure to draw a few guffaws.

Feb

[Poll] Is Sprint's Kyocera Echo Going To Be A Disaster? Probably, But Vote Anyways

Posted by David Ruddock in Echo, Editorials, Kyocera

As you may have guessed from the title, I figure I'll let you know what I think about the Echo while you're here (alternatively, if you don't care what I think, scroll on down for the poll). (For those who need to familiarize themselves with the device, here's the official announcement.)

So, two screens for the price of one - that seems to be Sprint's angle with the Echo. After a completely unrelated appearance by David Blaine at its big launch event today, America's comeback carrier debuted this circus freak of a handset. Reactions have been, shall we say, mixed.

Feb

Sprint Announces The Dual-Screen Kyocera Echo - Coming This Spring For $199

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Echo, Kyocera, News, Sprint

Turns out the rumors were true - Sprint and Kyocera have partnered up to build the Echo, the world's first dual-screen phone.

The two 3.5" 800x480 screens offer 4.7 inches of real estate when combined, and can be used as:

One huge display ("Tablet Mode")
Combined displays, where one screen can show a keyboard while the other displays the email app ("Optimized Mode")
Two individual displays with each running a separate app ("Simul-Task Mode")
One single display, with the second hidden underneath ("Single-Screen Mode")

Unfortunately, the rest of the Echo's specs aren't nearly as innovative - its battery is puny (1370 mAh, though Sprint will include a spare), it doesn't have a front-facing camera, and there's no 4G connectivity to speak of.