Kyocera's dual-screen Echo hits Sprint for $200 in spring
updated 06:40 pm EST, Mon February 7, 2011
Kyocera Echo brings dual screens to Android
Sprint's special event tonight confirmed the launch of the Kyocera Echo. The device is the first true dual-screen Android phone and has multiple modes to make the most of its twin 3.5-inch, 800x480 displays. Apps can take up both screens in a tablet mode, run separately in each screen or even run in an optimized mode that can use both screens for one app.
The phone's unique hinging design lets one screen tuck behind the other for those who want to use just one regular app at a time.
Inside, it runs a second-generation 1GHz Snapdragon processor and has a five-megapixel camera with 720p video; a 1,370mAh battery powers both, but a spare battery is in the pack to keep going. An 8GB microSDHC card comes in the box. Android 2.2 still comes preloaded, but it supports the same Wi-Fi hotspot sharing as phones like the Evo 4G even though it supports regular EVDO-based 3G.
The Echo should reach Sprint's stores during the spring and will cost $200 on a contract.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
I'm not sure if it's useful, but it sure is unique
It looks like it would be a tech-heads delight, but I don't see the average consumer going after something like this at all. It would appear to be a battery eater but that would only be if someone is going to try to run an app on each screen. I'm damn surprised that they can offer this for $200 with the dual screens. The Android vendors need to try everything they can to get attention for their products.