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It was just last week we saw the Kyocera Echo grace the FCC, but Sprint already has a date lined up for the release of the dual-screened Android smartphone debuted backed in February. The Echo will launch on April 17th, but beginning March 26th customers can pre-order the device that takes an innovative approach to Android, if one that doesn’t quite seem fully baked.
Sprint is also hosting a “Duel for Dual” contest giving everyone a chance to win an Echo of their own. If you don’t happen to win an Echo free of charge, Sprint will gladly accept $199.99 and an agreement to a new two-year contract for the handset when it lands in stores on April 17th.
The Wait is Almost Over – Kyocera Echo™, the Nation’s First Dual-Touchscreen Smartphone, to Launch April 17 Only at Sprint
Beginning March 26, Sprint customers can ‘Reserve Now’ for $199.99OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN DIEGO (BUSINESS WIRE), March 14, 2011 – 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.
“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 NowSprint 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.
Let the hate comments on the Kyocera Echo commence.
Z0mg it’s cr4p. I wants dool k0re. This is teh sux0rs.
OK
It’s so bad that even Richard doesn’t want it.
So is this Kyocera going to launch with Zelda or Mario cart?
I don’t want one, not even if its free….i fuc*ing hate this phone….
Yawn.. So what’s new?
this looks like a phone available in that SkyMall magazine—attractive to people who want what looks like the most innovative thing but is really quite useless.
but on a lighter note–it would appeal to more people if they could have worked out a NintendoDS feature with included Emulators of something like MarioKart (deceptacop)
Stupid phone.
@Joshua
I don’t know man. I don’t think the masses find anything appealing unless it has a hexcore core processor, front facing camera, 8 gb of RAM, and 5.5 inch 1080p display.
Seriously though, even if it prints f*cking money, they won’t like it unless it has at least a dual core.
Well to be fair you don’t want to have to wait for that money to print.
why even bother releasing this, sprint fails
and cue richard…
This phone really should have a ffc on it though so you can video on one screen and stream your pron or whatever on the other
@Kelvin so true lol
I have been dying for this phone to be released.
Not because i want it but it’s always funny reading
grown men whine & complain about a phone that they
are never going to buy because they hyped up an
announcement sprint made and made themselves think
an EVO 2 successor was going to be announced and then
subsequently wound up disappointed. It’s funny :) But
i am excited to see professional reviews of this phone.
Skymall is basically like Sharper Image except that at least you can get a massage if you go to the Sharper Image store in the mall (I don’t need to do that anymore because we actually have our own massage chair)
I like the idea of a dual screen, but this phone is fugly and I wouldn’t buy anything from Kyocera for cryin’ out loud. I’d rather see a reputable manufacturer try it first. They make free phones for Cricket Wireless, quality has never been job #1.
@ deceptacop – I think the chances of you seeing Mario or Zelda on a Sony device are about the same as seeing Halo on PS3, or Pokemon on Xbox360. Those are all flagship titles tied to and owned by, the companies in question (although I *think* MS sold Bungie Studios – I may be wrong). You can’t draw a parallel between those titles and the fact that Sonic the Hedgehog is now on every platform due to the fact that Sega (I think very smartly) moved away from hardware and just focused on hardware. Over time, “tech stuff” – be it video games, computers, and eventually, cell providers simply don’t support more than ±3 platforms/consoles/ and eventually, providers.
Just my 2¢
^ in a given market
Maybe I should’ve put
/sarcasm
^ lol, sorry deceptacop, it is often hard to detect sarcasm in print because the inflections that exist in vocal speech aren’t there in text. Of course, there is the “oid” series of emulators (NESoid, GENSoid, GAMEBoid, PS1, N64, etc.) I love the NESoid games, if you have a qwerty, and couple it with a Game Gripper, they work great! Of course, new titles aren’t there as no one has a phone capable of running a fully-blown X360/PS3 ROM. Except maybe Richard, who is convinced his EVO is magical and projects rainbows, unicorns, peace and harmony throughout the universe in perpetuity. Funny my off-contract EVO doesn’t do most of the crap he claims his does and mine is rooted and ROMed. There is no accounting for some people.
@ Kelvin,
oh i definitely agree. i’m not going near this thing–in fact it’s making me question Sprint. but that just makes the CTIA announcement even more glorious if they’re unveiling a slew of rumored phones.
but, seriously. this thing–eh.
kudos for trying to be innovative,
“wtf” award for following through so poorly in relation to the current phone line-up specs.
I have Sprint but this is a prime example of how far they are behind the other carriers when it comes to devices. Contrary to what Richard thinks I believe the selection of phones stink at Sprint. I currently have an upgrade available but there’s nothing to upgrade to. I sure hope they don’t disappoint me next week. The worst part is I lose my upgrade April 1st because of their brilliant plan of changing the premier program.
I don’t know guys I think the concept is a great idea in theory but the specs just doesn’t support the device. 2years ago maybe today no way I guess someone my want this device but it won’t be me sitting on a long train ride home pulling out my keyocera
I think Kyocera should’ve probably used the “Sanyo” name for the high-end phones, and the Kyocera name for the low-ends (or not at all). Kyocera has a pretty bad reputation in smartphones, and Sanyo is at least partially respected.
I wouldn’t get it even if it prints money and comes with an iPhone. I must get an iPhone, do you have one for sale?
This really is a good concept, but they got the wrong manufacturer for it.
I bet you can watch the battery gauge move when you have both screens going.
thinner and more battery life and got a HTC logo. i will buy it.
hahahahaha, sad.
i think this might do really bad on sprint, on any carrier at that. hmmm just not feeling it.
Way to go Sprint-Kyrocera isn’t just for Cricket anymore.
This phone will probably do decent sales. I don’t think it will be a flop. Dual screens will attract buyers, and most people could care less about dual cores. I like the concept overall
Do you guys realize that before the “Evo” came out you guys were saying the same thing about HTC… Kyocera had bad reputation but they might have stepped up there game, just like HTC did!. They did have major complains on their older devices and look at them now.