kyocera

Sprint launches simple, free Kyocera Brio

In addition to the Kyocera Milano, Sprint announced the upcoming availability of the Kyocera Brio.

The Brio is a basic, no-frills cell phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.2-inch QVGA display, and 1.3-megapixel camera. With the keyboard, the phone does support Sprint's Mobile Email and Mobile Email Work services, as well as access to popular e-mail clients like Yahoo, AOL, Gmail, and Windows Live.

The handset also has Bluetooth 2.0, 3G, a WAP 2.0 Web browser, and an expansion slot that supports up to 32GB cards.

The Kyocera Brill will be available September 9 for … Read more

Kyocera Echo gets Android 2.3 Gingerbread update

The dual-screen Kyocera Echo has become the latest Android smartphone to receive Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread. The update includes many of the standard Gingerbread features, along with pinch-to-zoom support, a Swype 3.0 virtual keyboard, and an improved downloads application.

Kyocera also is including a new Eco mode that's specifically designed for the Echo, which gives users the ability to better manage battery life. The application will change various power settings on the handset once it hits a preset, user-determined point. So for example, when the device reaches its chosen battery percentage, it will begin to conserve power … Read more

Sprint launches first CDMA push-to-talk phones

Sprint shed more light on the future of its Direct Connect service today when it announced two CDMA devices that will support the push-to-talk (PTT) feature. The Kyocera DuraMax and DuraCore will launch in the fourth quarter of this year with a yet-to-be-named Motorola handset set following shortly after.

From the outside, the Kyocera handsets should appeal to long-time Nextel fans. The flip designs sport rubber skins for extra durability and both devices are certified to military specifications for dust, shock, and vibration. The DuraMax goes a little further by adding protection for blowing rain, temperature extremes, and immersion in water. According to Kyocera, it will withstand a dunking in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. … Read more

Cricket unveils Kyocera Luno

We haven't heard much from Kyocera since it unleashed the dual-screen Echo early this year, but today the company returned to its simpler roots by announcing the Luno S2100 for Cricket.

Proving that flip phones still exist, the Luno sports a folding design in a deep purple hue. The rounded edges give it appeal and the 1-inch color external display will let you check caller ID and the time without opening the phone.

Inside you'll find a 1.8-inch color display and a standard alphanumeric keypad. Features include Bluetooth 2.1, a WAP 2.0 browser, a VGA … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 56: Q&A lightning round (Podcast)

Microsoft's wants more money from Android; a new tablet could cost you less money; and a lightning round Q and A session of your questions from Twitter.

NEWS

M$ wants $15/Android handset from Samsung http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20077173-17/report-microsoft-wants-$15-per-android-handset/

Motorola, Toshiba Android tablets go below $500 http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20077260-64/motorola-toshiba-android-tablets-go-below-$500/

Kyocera’s Echo isn’t as fragile as it seems http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skkP0bEsyeU CNET Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/kyocera-echo-sprint/4505-6452_7-34498252.html… Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 44: What the heck is a tablet book? (Podcast)

We go hands-on with the weirdest Android phone yet, as Justin Eckhouse and Antuan Goodwin finally decide whether the Kyocera Echo is cool. Sprint delivers ringtones, HTC streams movies, and a tablet winner is declared, all that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly.

Stories

Sony Ericsson delivers exclusive Android Market channel http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20053628-251.html

HTC enters the movie streaming business with HTC Watch http://androidandme.com/2011/04/news/htc-enters-the-movie-streaming-business-with-htc-watch/

Sprint … Read more

Kyocera Echo review: Double the fun or double trouble?

Though cell phone carriers like to boast that their devices are "one of a kind" and "industry firsts," the claims are usually nothing more than marketing speak. With the Kyocera Echo, however, Sprint wasn't just feeding us a line.

It's almost been two months since Sprint launched the Echo at a very over-the-top unveiling in New York City. Journalists like us usually have an aversion to such events, so it wasn't surprising that most attendees came away a little confused. And it didn't help that the Echo was such an unusual device. Though it looks pretty boring at first, the Echo actually has two touch screens that join together to form one large display. The Echo is nothing we've ever seen before and it offers some unique enhancements that are cool if not exactly mind-blowing.

Of course, the dual-screen design comes with some tradeoffs, and the Echo's design won't build confidence if you subject your gadgets to regular abuse. Even worse, a lackluster feature set makes the Echo's design its only real draw. It won't be for mass consumption, but the right user will appreciate its quirky character.

For the whole story, read our full Kyocera Echo review. … Read more

My first look at the Kyocera Echo

ORLANDO, Fla.--In addition to delivering lots of new phones, trade shows like CTIA 2011 offer an opportunity to see any recent models that haven't yet to passed through your hands. This year, CTIA was my first chance to handle the Kyocera Echo, the dual-screen Android handset for Sprint. I wasn't able to join Bonnie Cha for last month's launch event in New York City--check out Bonnie's original take on the device--so I had breakfast with Kyocera's PR team to see the smartphone up close.

After Sprint's bizarre unveiling event--was a performance by Blaine … Read more

Android Atlas 41: Thunder, thunder, Thunderbolt, HO!

It's an Android-stravaganza in Orlando for CTIA 2011. CNET's Justin Eckhouse reports on the newest tablets while his second in command, JT Tabencki fills in as co-host. Amazon's app store is finally here and it's sort of hard to get into. Plus, Antuan Goodwin shows off his newest phone the HTC Thunderbolt on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly for March 24th 2011.

Sprint announces partnership w/ Google Voice http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20044748-85.html… Read more

Apple, Nokia, others targeted in camera patent suit

A lawsuit filed last week in Texas by a group named Imperium Holdings claims that Apple along with Kyocera, LG, Motorola Mobility, Nokia, Research in Motion (RIM), and Sony-Ericsson are infringing on five patents related to the cameras and imaging equipment found in phones and other mobile devices.

The suit, which was reported Friday by Patently Apple, picks on five patents in particular:

Patent 6,271,884: Image flicker reduction with fluorescent lighting. Patent 6,838,651: High sensitivity snap shot CMOS image sensor. Patent 6,838,715: CMOS image sensor arrangement with reduced pixel light shadowing. Patent 7,064,768: … Read more