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Sanyo Katana II in the flesh
Any excitement we would've had for the coming of the Katana's replacement has been tempered by a totally bogus lack of EV-DO -- but as a thin, inexpensive flip, it looks like the Katana II should be able to hold its own against the competition. This here is the first decent picture we've seen of the device -- or devices, seeing how it'll apparently be available in black, pink, and silver -- showing a reasonably attractive shell with the same VGA cam as its predecessor. The display's apparently up a fifth of an inch to 2 inches in total, but there ain't much else to talk about without upgrading to the slightly higher-end Katana DLX. Look for the Katana II to hit next month for a shade under $50 on contract.
FCC plays with the Sanyo Katana DLX
So it turns out Sprint's Sanyo Katana is going to be met by no fewer than two successors. Besides the previously-seen Katana II, the FCC's been hooked up with the Katana DLX, a reasonably attractive (from what little we can tell) flip that features EV-DO, Bluetooth, microSD expansion, camera, and a PC modem mode. Of course, the FCC likes to be as coy as possible with details, so we've got nothin' else on this one for the time being -- but if it launches around the same time as the Katana II, we should see it in the next few months.[Via Phone Scoop]
Sanyo Katana II met by the FCC's warm embrace
The Katana II has been a rumored device on Sprint for quite some time, but what we haven't been able to find out is whether it makes good on the original Katana's critical failure to include 3G. The device was originally billed as a low-cost alternative to the RAZR, but let's be honest: the RAZR ain't the king of the hill anymore, and EV-DO is finally a commodity feature in even entry-level CDMA handsets. Sadly, the Katana II's FCC filing doesn't shed any light on the sitch -- all we know is that it's a CDMA handset with Bluetooth -- but we do get a handful of sketches in the ID label documentation (think of it as a sort of color-by-number Katana II, minus the numbers). If the original rumors hold true, expect the phone to hit as soon as June.
Smash my PSP: katana claims victory over Sony handheld
While a bevy of gadgets have been laid to rest for 15 seconds of YouTube fame, Sony's PSP has somehow eluded the brutal beatings that the iPod, PlayStation 3, Wii, and other highly coveted gizmos have suffered. Unfortunately, the PlayStation Portable has now received the same off-kilter treatment as the electronics that have come (and gone) before, as a couple of rowdy youngsters with a faux katana laid the smack down on a helpless PSP. Interestingly, the device seemed to hold up fairly well to the bashing it took, but we can't help but wonder just how sharp the sword was that was used in this melee. Seriously, we know how bad you want a PSP2 to finally surface, but we promise that getting medieval on your current rendition won't encourage those Sony execs to move their plans along any faster. If you dare, click on through for the ruthless obliteration.[Via PSPFanboy]
Hands-on with Sprint's 1H '07 roadmap?
Authenticity is tough to verify here, but what we've heard from an inside source here regarding Sprint Nextel's launch estimates for the first half of the new year -- including some devices that have already hit the streets -- seems totally plausible, if not probable. Samsung's been tapped to provide three: the m300 "Vivace," m510 "Fantasy" (apparently a minor update to the m500), and -- most interestingly -- the m620 "Flipper," which we've now heard from multiple sources will be a CDMA version of the nifty F300 Ultra Music Edition, scheduled to launch with Sprint on April 1. Sanyo brings a total of five to the party, two of which have already launched: the 3200, 7000, 7050, Katana II (hopefully sporting EV-DO this time), and M1. Sierra Wireless and Novatel will team up to bring three more data devices to market, the 595U, 597E, and Express (the XV620, we're guessing?). Moto's on the hook for three devices, the Q (wow, we haven't heard it called "Franklin" in ages) and a pair of iDEN / CDMA hybrids, the ic502 and ic902. Rounding out the offerings will be the 6800 -- an HTC Titan variant -- and the previously-unmentioned Palm Sherlock (a CDMA version of the 680 or 750, we'd wager). Not a bad lineup considering this all theoretically goes down in the first six months of the year, eh?[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Qwest offering pink Katana for a good cause
Following up its pink variation on the Sanyo 3100 handset, Qwest is now also offering a slightly more subdued "Cherry Blossom Pink" version of Sanyo's slim Katana handset, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As with the 3100, 10% of the sales from the phone (up to $100,000) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which is focused on research and community outreach programs. The phone itself is otherwise the same old Katana handset, weighing a slight 3.4 ounces and packing a 2.2-inch QVGA display, VGA camera, and Bluetooth, but unfortunately lacking EV-DO support. Going pink will cost you the same as the Katana's less colorful brethren, setting you back an even $100 (with a Qwest contract, of course).[Via Techie Diva]
Sanyo Katana reviewed
Some of us have had it up to here with RAZR variants, accessories, and knockoffs, but it appears slim flips are here to stay regardless of what a few grumbling Engadget editors have to say on the matter. Sprint customers looking to get in on the action without breaking the bank might look toward the Sanyo Katana, which has just been put through PC Magazine's tests and emerged with a 3.5 / 5. The reviewer digs the Katana's QVGA display, rated 4 hours of talk time, and strong reception, but takes a hit for serving up distorted sound at high volumes. Personally we'd be lost without 3G, but if the prospect of an EV-DOless Sprint phone doesn't send you running, the Katana can be yours now for a song on contract.
Sanyo 6600 "Katana" drops on Sprint's website
As expected, Sanyo's new RAZR competitor the 6600, otherwise known as Katana, has been finally been unsheathed and is now up for grabs on Sprint's website. The dual band/tri-mode phone (sorry, no EV-DO) weighs in at a paltry 3.4 ounces and packs a pretty out-dated VGA camera, along with Bluetooth functionality, and support for Sprint's PCS Vision service. Three of the four color options are available directly from Sprint (Mystic Black, Blue Sapphire, and Cherry Blossom Pink), with the Polar White version we saw earlier reportedly a Radio Shack exclusive but apparently not available yet. Price is a fairly reasonable $79.99, providing you're willing to sign a two-year contract and wait who knows how long for that $50 mail-in rebate.[Via Slashphone]
Sanyo 6600 "Katana" in the wild
Sprint customers looking for a little more color (and a little less Samsung) than the A900 provides should be happy to know that Sanyo's upcoming 6600 -- you may know it as the Katana -- is looking as hot in the wild as it did in the promo shots. This is apparently a dummy model we're seeing here, but fear not: if you require a RAZR clone, don't mind passing on EV-DO, and you can tolerate the nearly useless VGA shooter, all signs point to the real thing dropping in the next handful of weeks. Check the break for shots of the 6600 frolicking free of its pre-release confines.[Thanks, Nan]Read - more shots of the 6600Read - official spec sheet
Promo shots of Sanyo 6600 slim folder for Sprint
While the blurry shots we saw a couple of months ago let us know the general idea of Sprint's rumored 6600 "Katana" phone from Sanyo, we're happy to report that the real deal is looking like quite the hottie, and should be appealing to squeamish mobile users who can't quite handle the naming direction Moto is taking their slim line. Unfortunately, the Katana doesn't really expand upon the aging feature set of its RAZR rival, with a mere VGA camera, Bluetooth and conspicuously absent EV-DO. The 2.2-inch QVGA display is welcome, but we have yet to see if the phone will provide much opportunity to utilize it. Still, the phone is quite the looker, and its multiple colors out of the gate should at least give fashionistas cause to talk. There's no word on release date or price, but Sprint better get on this one fast before it looks even more ancient than it already is.
Pics of Sprint's rumored Sanyo Katana ultra-slim clamshell
It doesn't get much blurrier than this, folks, but pics have emerged at HowardForums purporting to depict Sprint's rumored "Katana" phone from Sanyo. The ultra-slim handset is said to have a lovable 2.2-inch QVGA display, a less exciting VGA camera, and Bluetooth connectivity. There's no word on EV-DO, but the phone will supposedly retail for around $100 after rebates and is due "mid-to-late summer." Check the read link for some exciting color schemes like "Blue Sapphire" and "Cherry Blossom Pink," making this handset hard not to peg as a fashionphone.[Via phoneArena]
