New low-end offering from Kyocera

Sprint today introduced a new low-end offering from Kyocera, the Android 2.3 Kyocera Milano. The pint-sized handset rides the line between messaging feature phone and full-fledged Android smartphone.

It features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3-inch display, and 512MB of onboard memory. It also gets the Sprint ID treatment for device personalization. The handset can be switched to ‘Eco Mode’ to better manage device battery life. The Milano will be available for $49.99 when it launches tomorrow, September 9th. Read on for full press details.

 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).

via [phandroid]