kyocera

MAKUHARI, Japan--If you're always pressing the wrong icon on your smartphone touch screen, Japan's KDDI is working on a haptic screen that makes it feel like you're pushing a button instead of just a flat surface.

Prototypes shown off here at Ceatec 2011 respond to pressure and provide a sensation of clicking a keyboard button. The cellphone giant demoed potential applications including easier Web browsing and more interactive game playing.

The tech was developed for industrial applications by Kyocera, which was exhibiting a small tactile screen for industrial use at the trade show outside Tokyo. It consists of a touch panel sitting on an LCD with piezoelectric elements.

KDDI has shown off the tech before for text input at Wireless Japan, but Ceatec saw its first demo for Web browsing and video games. … Read more

Sprint revealed today that it will launch its next-generation Direct Connect push-to-talk service, along with the compatible Kyocera DuraMax, starting October 2.

With the help of Qualcomm, the new Direct Connect platform works on Sprint's 3G CDMA network and allows for faster data speeds compared with the current Nextel iDEN network, which is being phased out in 2013. Another advantage to the next-gen service is broader coverage. Sprint says that by early 2012, Direct Connect is expected to match its CDMA voice coverage area, which is about three times the square miles covered by iDEN.

Aside from the usual push-to-talk functionality, Direct Connect will continue to offer call alert with text, Group Connect, Next Mail, availability notification, and the signature chirp sound to let you know that your call was successfully sent.

Of course, with the new service, you need new handsets and the Kyocera DuraMax will be the first compatible model. The rugged flip phone meets military specifications and comes with a 2-inch QVGA internal display, 1-inch monochrome external screen, a 3.2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, and a 1GB microSD card (supports up to 32GB). The cost of the phone is $69.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

In addition to the DuraMax, Sprint will offer the Kyocera DuraCore by the end of the year and an Android-based Direct Connect device from Motorola in Q4. Pricing and release dates for the two models were not given at this time. … Read more

Sprint announced its latest Android handset today, the affordable Android 2.3-powered Kyocera Milano.

The phone, which will be available in stores and online tomorrow, features a sliding QWERTY keyboard, a 3.5-inch display, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Other details include 512MB of RAM, 512MB of ROM, a 2GB microSD card, and support for Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi, (802.11 b/g/n).

For software, the Milano comes preloaded with the carrier's standard services, including Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV & Movies, and NASCAR. Like many of Sprint's entry-level Android handsets, the device supports the customizable software bundles … Read more

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

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 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

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

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

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