kyocera

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

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

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

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

Orlando, Fla.--Kyocera today announced a developer's program for the company's new Echo Android handset that it unveiled with Sprint last month. The Kyocera Android Developer Program won't formally launch until April 17, but the company will show off the SDK at CTIA 2011.

The program is meant to encourage development of applications and games that will utilize the Echo's dual screens. Categories include gaming, social networking, mobile entertainment, location-based services, and productivity.

Kyocera also announced the initial list of developer partners who will issue the first apps optimized for the handset. For the most part, … Read more

Despite offering solid call quality during our San Francisco tests, the Kyocera Domino had enough design and hardware disappointments to keep us looking for a better simple cell phone.

It doesn't help that for the Domino, Kyocera has regurgitated an almost exact copy of the design used on the earlier Jax, repeating most of the same mistakes. Sorry, Kyocera, but revisiting that screen is a crime we can't easily overlook.

Read the full review to see photos, videos, and where this phone goes wrong.

Android guys Antuan Goodwin and Justin Eckhouse get grossed out by the Playstation phone, are confused at the Facebook phone, and take a look at a two-screened Transformer of a phone. Our latest How To video shows you how to free space for apps on Froyo and we answer your questions about the Motorola Atrix and Xoom on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly.

Android might not be the best-selling OS in smartphones http://www.androidapps.com/tech/articles/6674-android-might-not-be-the-best-selling-os-in-smartphones … Read more

It's one of the craziest weeks ever in cell phone land. Not only are Kent and Bonnie packing for Mobile World Congress, but we also had two big-time press events from Sprint and HP. Sprint's new device is the dual-screen Kyocera Echo. We admit it doesn't look like much right now, but that didn't stop magician David Blaine from showing up at the unveiling. HP gave us a better show with its new Pre 3 and Veer and the company made every effort to remind us that the Palm name no longer exists.

Also in the … Read more

We get nostalgic about kid cereals of yore in The 404 preshow this morning, and if you miss Cap'n Crunch OOPS! All Berries and Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats Cereal as much as we do, you can still buy both on Amazon.com. Don't blame us if you get a stomach ache from 17-year-old crunchberries.

Sprint's dual-touch-screen Kyocera Echo is the latest victim of the "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" cliche.

Bonnie Cha was at the special event in New York yesterday and raises concerns about the effects of the double screens on the phone's battery life, not to mention the lack of 4G support that will likely push this handset to the clearance bin by the end of this year.

The war of the smartphones will always be a heated topic of discussion on the show, but as the numbers of handsets grows, we're getting less excited about the hardware in lieu of the new apps that make them really stand out--things like Grindr, a new service that lets men and women turn their GPS-powered phones into mobile-dating tools.

The mobile service was initially rolled out to help gay men track their nearest potential dates (aka, gaydar) and has grown to support nearly 1.5 million members with apps for iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android.

Once you sign onto Grindr and fill out your profile, the app shows a grid of pictures for potential daters in your area based using GPS technology that works up to a couple of hundred feet. If you see someone of interest, you can then send a photo or a message to start the conversation.

It's opened up a realm of possibilities that take the guesswork out of spotting gay men, but now its 33-year-old founder, Joel Simkhai, is attempting to port the service over for straight women as well.

The problem lies in the effort to incorporate features that appeal specifically to that demographic, since most straight women can walk into any bar and lock down a date. Wilson also brings up a good point about the safety and privacy issues behind an app that keeps track of your location.

Along the same vein, an article in New York Mag caught our attention and hits so close to home that we have to address it in the second half of the show. It examines the negative psychological effects of Internet pornography on the male libido.

Based on interviews with men of all ages (including John Mayer, an expert on the subject), the author questions the possibility that Internet porn is causing men to detach from their partners and instead form mental bonds with the stars in these movies.

Obviously there's plenty to be said on this topic (anecdotally, not personally), so I'm sure we'll spend more time on it tomorrow. Read the article and let us know what you think!