Sprint Unveiling Dual-Screen Kyocera Android Phone?

Sprint is holding a press event this evening with special guest David Blaine. The company promised an “industry first” for the event. The Wall Street Journal went ahead and spoilarzed the whole thing: according to the newspaper’s sources, Sprint will unveil the Kyocera Echo — the first dual-screen Google Android phone. Here are more details:

Sprint Nextel Corp. plans to unveil a smartphone late Monday that includes a twin set of touch screens that give the device a pseudo-tablet design, according to a person familiar with the device.

The device, called the Echo and made by the U.S. unit of Japan-based Kyocera Corp., features two 3.5-inch touch screens that can be stacked side by side.

A dual-screen smartphone is potentially fascinating, but I’m not going to expect too much from the Echo. Kyocera hasn’t done well with high-end smartphones and lags behind the Android competition. Then again, I can’t help but think of the early Nintendo DS rumors; people laughed at the idea of a dual-screen handheld…and Nintendo laughed all the way to the bank with that one.

Are any of you intrigued by the prospect of a dual-screen Android phone?

Source

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

14 thoughts on “Sprint Unveiling Dual-Screen Kyocera Android Phone?”

  1. i really can't see the purpose of a dual screen smartphone. if this is too work properly this will be one bulky phone.

    1. The multitasking potential is interesting to me. Having one screen with reference information and taking notes or emailing on the other screen would be super useful. You could leave chat open on one screen and browse on the other. There's a lot you could do with it.

      1. that's a good point but i'm still not sold on how often i would need the dual screen option. i think it's going to be hard to convince me to switch when i have a phone that i can talk and browse the internet, take notes, text, or chat if i wanted.

      2. I think it could be similar to a dual-monitor setup. You don't know how useful it actually is until you try it and once you do, it's hard to go back. It really depends on Kyocera's software, since I'm unaware of Android having dual-screen support natively.

      3. yeah that was going to be my next point. what OS is this going to use? i doubt that it will be an android OS as well. do you think windows 7? you know what interested me was the Dell Inspiron Duo, that seemed like something for me. also what do you think of the HTC Inspire coming out next week for at&t as a 4G launch phone?

      5. i keep forgetting that android is an open source OS with all the restrictions either the carrier or handset manufacturer make it's hard to keep that in mind.

  2. I am intrigued, simply for the fact that I am looking for a reason to dump the AT&T network (iPhone) and consolidate our wireless accounts back with Sprint. I figured that a CMDA iPhone could work on Sprint's network, right?

    Oh, and the mention of David Blaine reminded me of this excellent video:

    If you've ever seen the special "Street Magic with David Blaine" on TLC or Travel Channel, the video becomes exponentially funnier.

    -M

    1. No, a CDMA iPhone wouldn't necessarily work on Sprint. Unlike GSM phones, you can't simply swap a sim card and get service. You have to call in and activate the phone, giving the carrier the phone's ESN. I doubt Sprint would let you use a Verizon iPhone on its network, even though it could technically work.

  4. The innards of this thing are a little underwhelming. Maybe it will be VERY cheap or something.

    1. It's $199 with a two-year contract and after a $100 rebate. I'd like to play with it, but my initial thought is that I'd rather have a Tegra 2 than two screens for that price.

      1. @Ray

        That sounds as bad as the Xoom pricing with Verizon. $800 and you have to agree to a data plan in order for the Wifi to be activated. Otherwise…you have an $800 brick.

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