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On Tuesday, Sprint officially announced that they will be carrying the Kyocera Milano. The device will be available on September 9th. Pricing at $49.99 with a two-years commitment.

The Milano runs on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread. It features a 3-inch display with 320 x 240-pixel resolution, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 512MB of memory, a 2GB microSD card and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Check out the press released below.

Sprint and Kyocera Launch Two Family-Friendly Phones in Time for Back-to-School

Kyocera Milano brings QWERTY keypad and Sprint ID customization to heavy texters and first-time Android users; With a comfortable candy-bar form factor, Kyocera Brio offers Sprint customers a simple way to stay connected

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and SAN DIEGO – Sept. 8, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI), provider of Kyocera and Sanyo-branded wireless phones in the Americas, today announced the launch of two devices in their lineup, Kyocera Milano and Kyocera Brio. Ideal for heavy texters and Android newbies, Kyocera Milano is an entry-level “QWERTY plus touchscreen” smartphone running Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, and featuring Sprint ID. Kyocera Brio offers a simple way for users to stay connected with friends and family without all of the bells and whistles.

Both devices launch September 9 in all Sprint retail channels, including web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1). Kyocera Milano will be priced at $49.99 (excluding taxes) and Kyocera Brio will be available for free (excluding taxes); both with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1.

“At Sprint, we strive to offer an ideal wireless device for every customer’s needs, including those who prefer simplicity without sacrificing style or substance,” said David Owens, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “The Kyocera Milano bridges the gap from feature phone to Android smartphone, making it ideal for those just starting to make the switch. Kyocera Brio focuses on a truly effortless wireless experience.”

With a distinctive rounded shape and soft-touch finish, Kyocera Milano has a low profile that makes it easy to hold and slide into a pocket. The phone’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard enables accurate tactile input for text messages and emails. Its touchscreen is augmented by Swype®, which provides a faster and easier way to enter text on any screen when used with the device’s virtual keyboard. One continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard is all it takes to enter words using Swype. The patented technology enables users to enter words faster and easier than other data input methods, at up to 40 words per minute.

“The touchscreen experience on smartphones is extremely popular, especially when optimized with an app like Swype, but many smartphone users are still looking for the familiar tactile experience of a full QWERTY keyboard,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at KCI. “Kyocera Milano delivers an easy-to-use, customizable Android experience with multiple keyboard options in a compact package for less than $50. It’s ideal for those making the leap to Android but not wanting to give up their QWERTY keyboards.”

Kyocera Milano’s ‘Eco Mode’ is a proprietary preloaded power-management application from Kyocera that helps users manage battery life on their devices. User can pre-set a point (based on percentage of battery charge remaining) at which their phones will go into low-power-consumption mode by automatically adjusting various phone functions like screen timeout and brightness. Additional key features on Kyocera Milano include:
Sprint ID, which helps users cut through the clutter of Android Market’s 250,000 apps, allowing them to select from a variety of ID packs that feature apps, ringers, wallpapers, widgets and more downloaded onto their device with a couple simple clicks. Available ID packs include E!, MTV Music ID, Green and NASCAR
3.2MP camera with camcorder
512MB onboard memory
2GB microSD™ memory card included (and supports up to 32GB)
Wi-Fi hotspot capability2, supporting up to five devices
Google™ Mobile Services
Full Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support
Sprint Zone™ for one-stop access to account information, phone tips, news and more

Kyocera Milano requires activation on one of the Sprint Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges) – a savings of $40 per month vs. Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web, or $10 per month vs. Verizon’s 450-minute plan with unlimited text and 2GB Web. The Mobile Hotspot option is available for an additional $29.99 per month and supports up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).

Kyocera Brio, a simple handset whose candy-bar form factor includes a curved QWERTY keyboard and contoured keys, is ideal for the budget-conscious user who wants convenient messaging and a 1.3MP camera. With school just starting, teens and tweens will enjoy staying in touch with friends while mom and dad get peace of mind with Kyocera Brio’s low-cost, parental controls and Sprint Family Locator. Pricing plans available for Kyocera Brio include Talk plans starting at $39.99 per month (excluding taxes) and Everything Messaging plans that include voice services and unlimited messaging starting at $49.99 per month (excluding taxes). Additional features on Kyocera Brio include:
Email, text messaging and Web browsing
Ergonomically designed QWERTY keyboard for quick, easy typing
Sprint Mobile Email (SME) and Sprint Mobile Email Work (SMEW)
MicroSD card slot (supports up to 32GB)
Bluetooth® 2.0

In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint is the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, over the last three years based on the results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index.

[via BGR]

A Sprint roadmap has been leaked. It seems the company is planning to launch a bunch of device on August 21st. There are BlackBerry Torch 9850, BlackBerry Bold 9930, and Samsung Conquer.

The list is not stopping there. On July 31st, there’s the Motorola Photon (MB855). Followed by BlackBerry Curve 9360 and several other Kyocera devices on September 9th. While in October 2nd you would be able to see the Motorola XT603. Unfortunately, you won’t be seeing the Samsung Galaxy S II anywhere in this list.

[via IntoMobile]

Kyocera Echo is now available for pre-order via Radio Shack. Sprint’s android dual-screen smartphone will fall on $199.99 with a new two-year Sprint contract. It will be shipped on April 17th.

It packed with dual-screen which combined becomes a 4.7-inch display. The display can be used as tablet mode and also single display. The device powered with Android 2.2 (Froyo). It’s Sprint first dual-screen phone.

[via BGR]

Sprint Kyocera Echo will be launched on April 17th. But the Now Website has begun placed a reservation and pre-order page. As for pricing, the Echo will fall on $199.99 after a $100 instant rebate and requires a new line activation (or eligible upgrade) with a two-year contract.

The Echo’s website is very catchy and interesting. They used the bandits/cowboys background. There’s also a game for the visitors to play called the Bottle Bustin’ Bandits. In the game the users get a chance to enter the Duel for a Dual Sweepstakes to win the Kyocera Echo.

A quick reminder, it has two 3.5-inch touch screen display, a single-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor, android 2.2 (froyo), a 5 MP rear facing camera, and external microSD card (up to 32 GB).

[via AndroidCommunity]

Kyocera shows off its newest creation during the CTIA 2011. The company is displaying several types of concept phones. The following image is one of the concept phone that would detect and react towards human emotion.

According to Kyocera, human most of the time communicate via body language and interaction. Therefore, the company decided to made a concept phone based on human emotion. This phone will physically change depending on the caller’s emotion.

On the left hand side, the handset is very smooth and shine. This indicates that the person is in a good mood but as you follow the picture all the way to the right, the device is more deform and misshape. That is saying the person in in horrible mood.

There’s plenty other concept phone aside from this one, there’s also the spider web like and ceramics.

[via Engadget]