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Kyocera brings K325 "Cyclops" to Virgin Mobile
Looking perhaps to move a little upmarket from the low-end Oystr, Virgin's new Kyocera-supplied "Cyclops" clamshell adds a couple key features that should appeal to the gearheads in the prepaid crowd. Besides generally looking a little fancier than its pearly sibling, the Cyclops puts its money where its mouth is by rocking a 1.3-megapixel shooter, a 160 x 128 display, and a speakerphone. The big draw here, though, appears to be the introduction of Virgin's new Virgin Mobile Audio Messaging (VAM) which allows subscribers -- rocking compatible handsets, of course -- to exchange brief voice messages the same way they'd send SMSes. As with Nuance's voice-to-text service, we're a bit skeptical that this is really gonna catch on, but who knows what kinds of services the kiddies are into these days?
Kyocera develops ultrathin FWMG0-03 mobile WiFi module
We've got all sorts of incredibly tiny chips serving very unique purposes, but Kyocera has developed a 10- x 8-millimeter wireless LAN wafer that should feel right at home in those oh-so-cramped innards of certain diminutive mobiles. The FWMG0-03 module comes in at just 1.25-millimeters thick, and provides full support for 802.11b/g protocols; aside from mounting all of the circuity on a single side of the board, compactness has been aided by the low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) used, "resulting in an enhanced bending strength of 400 MPa which is approximately double that of the general LTCC." The chip draws just 0.85 milliwatts while in standby, 550 milliwatts when transmitting data, and 291 (802.11b) / 345 (802.11g) milliwatts when receiving. While we aren't sure which cellphone manufactures are vying for batches of these minuscule modules, we do know that a trio of operating voltages will be available when these start "volume production within 2006," and SDIO / SPI will be the supported interfaces.
Kyocera launches music-oriented K352
After showing the anemic K122 and K132 and CTIA, it looks like Kyocera's out to remind everyone that they haven't lost their taste for the mid-range, announcing the K352 candybar in Venezuela. The CDMA musicphone's claim to fame is clearly its 256MB of internal storage -- which it'll need every last kilobyte of, considering it lacks any sort of expansion. Other notable features (if you can label them such) include a VGA cam, dedicated music controls, a spiffy red exterior, and six built-in songs licensed from Venezuelan band Voz Veis. Look for the K352 initially on Venezuela's Movistar network (no surprise, considering the bundled tunes) with global availability forthcoming.[Via Slashphone]
Kyocera K122 and K132 bring ultra low end to CDMA
Handset announcements from the floor of this fall's CTIA have come surprisingly few and far between, but Kyocera took the opportunity to show off two new entry-level handsets targeted primarily at international CDMA markets. The K132 clamshell is the "premium" device of the two -- and we use that term very loosely here -- featuring a color display, speakerphone, support for the 800 and 1900MHz bands, and a "soft touch" finish. The bare bones K122 strips away virtually every nonessential feature, leaving a basic, single-band candybar with a grayscale display. In this whole emerging markets game, we'd take a MOTOFONE any day over the K122, though we suspect the latter will find its way into consumer's hands sooner; expect both the K122 and its K132 sibling to drop before winter sets in.
KDDI throws down endless onslaught of new phones
Bring it strong, or don't bring it at all. That's certainly our mantra here at Engadget Mobile, and KDDI seems to share our sentiment, launching not one, not two, but twelve new phones on their Japanese "au" CDMA network this week. Variety doesn't really seem to be KDDI's forte, though -- every last model rocks a clamshell form factor and roughly equivalent specs, give or take a megapixel here, FeLiCa support there. Sony Ericsson's W43S caught our eye for its nifty faux wood exterior (come on, who wouldn't want a faux wood cellphone?), while the curiously-named glossy black Toshiba "DRAPE" seems to be positioned as the high-style model of the bunch. 2- and 3-megapixel cams (some with autofocus), expansion slots, and comprehensive music support all around... yeah, there's not a lot of differentiation here, but the uniformity's good in at least one way: every last one of these 12 are blessed with QVGA primary displays.[Via Akihabara News]
Kyocera K323 "coming soon" on Verizon
O2 isn't the only carrier getting simple love today. Besides spilling the beans on LG's VX8600 and VX9900, Verizon's Backup Assistant site also lists they Kyocera K323 as "coming soon." For those unfamiliar with the basic flip, it rocks 160 x 128 internal and 96 x 16 external displays, a VGA shooter, and an internal antenna in a 96-gram package. Perhaps not quite as interesting or exciting as either of LG's offerings, but hey, we're all about freedom of choice.[Thanks, Jonathon]
Virgin Mobile keeps it simple with Kyocera "Oystr"
Want Virgin Mobile service? Got 30 bucks? Kyocera's got you covered. The 3.5oz back-to-basics Oystr -- no "e" -- offers a color internal display, speakerphone, "Superphonic" ringtones, and that's about it. Some of us might be quickly overcome with a bad case of feature starvation, but at least the pearl white clamshell (hence the name) doesn't look half bad -- and for an honest $30 with no contract, we'll forego the typical grousing about the lack of external display.[Thanks, Roy]
Kyocera Strobe heads to Alltel
Just when you needed one more option to consider when eyeing texting-friendly phones, Kyocera has delivered on "America's largest network". The Strobe, Alltel's latest offering, manages to stuff a full QWERTY keyboard and a second color screen inside of the candybar-styled device reminiscent of Nokia's 9000 series (or shall we say, candyclam?). As in the Switch_Back, the Strobe includes a VGA camera, Bluetooth, Axcess web, BREW, voice-activated dialing, and a built-in speakerphone. The phone should fit right in amongst teens and other SMS-addicts, and acquiring one won't be nearly as painful as you may expect; it's available now through Alltel for $49.99 with a 2-year plan.[Via Slashphone]
7 new phones from KDDI
Japan's second largest telcoms operator and largest 3G operator KDDI is set to launch no less than seven new phones in June, including a Walkman phone from Sony Ericsson (it's the pink one on top). The Walkman W42S has 1GB of memory and promises 30 hours of music playback, with users able to connect to KDDI's "Listen Mobile Service" (LISMO) to download songs. Also announced was the Casio G'zOne W42CA, another of Casio's waterproof phones, this one featuring a high-speed data communication module. Additional deets include a 2 megapixel camera, 2.5-inch 65k color display, 50MB built-in memory, and a microSD slot for expansion. Other phones announced include the Toshiba W44T with Bluetooth and 1GB of memory which you can also load up with music from LISMO, the Sanyo W33SA II featuring EZ television and EZ fm service, the Kyocera W42K (also with EZ television support), the retro-styled Hitachi W42H, and the slimline Kyocera A5521K.
Virgin Mobile launches Switch_Back QWERTY phone
It might not be any more good looking now that it's finally being released to public consumption, but Virgin Mobile's new Switch_Back handset by Kyocera still seems to be a solid choice for QWERTY-inclined text messaging fiends. Along with the "hidden" QWERTY keypad (it's called a clamshell, guys), the phone sports internal and external displays, and has a VGA camera. Otherwise there isn't much going on here. The handset will go for $150, and should be available in stores nationwide.
Kyocera K822 musicphone with A2DP
With the flurry of phone and mobile industry announcements this past week (Engadget Mobile even outposted the original once or twice), you'll have to forgive us if we didn't catch some of the more, um, run-of-the-mill handsets revealed at CTIA, but hey, that's what the weekends are for. Truthfully, the Kyocera K822 isn't really all that ho-hum, as it sports both a 1.3 megapixel camera and 30MB of memory complemented by a microSD slot for pics and tunes (MP3/AAC/WMDRM), packed into a clamshell design with dual color displays. Other niceties on this tri-mode CDMA model include Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, FM radio, and external media controls, as well as a pretty attractive $140-after-subsidies price tag.
Kyocera and Zeal Optics get Confidante
Not quite the same as the O RAZR (at least not in looks), Zeal Optics and Kyocera came together to co-develop the Confidante, which they were showing off at CTIA (click on for a hands on). Unlike other Bluetooth glasses, the Bluetooth module is removable in these, so when something breaks and you've got to send your radio in to the shop, at least you won't be without your otherwise unjustifiably thick frames.
Kyocera and Boingo's 3G/WiFi prototype revealed
Just over a year ago, Kyocera dropped the press-bomb related to partnering with Boingo to develop 3G cellphones with built-in WiFi. Now they're showing off a BREW-based WiFi/CDMA prototype at CTIA which allows public WiFi roaming, on the Boingo WiFi network, natch-urally. No doubt you might be wondering what Boingo, a WiFi hotspot consolidator, brings to the table. Well, that'd be software, which can automatically choose whether the 3G connection or access to one of Boingo's 30-odd-thousand global WiFi hotspots is the best option "for a given time and circumstance." Hey great, but why limit the software to just this handset, when there are so many WiFi enabled phones coming to market?
Kyocera Jet for Amp'd reviewed
Besides the competitive pricing, the main draw of MVNO Amp'd's service is the multimedia offerings, and their Kyocera Jet handset apparently performs an admirable job at delivering audio and video content. PhoneScoop has taken their usual in-depth approach in reviewing the Jet, taking each of the phone's basic and advanced functions and putting them through their paces. Highlights of this model include good quality music playback, a comfortable and attractive design, bright, crisp screen, and above-average signal pickup. All is not perfect with the Jet, though, and the VGA camera (poor even for its class, opines PS), frustrating interface, and sub-battery life (expect to recharge at least once a day) may be deal breakers for potential customers, even if they are part of the young and hip demographic that Amp'd targets.
AU launches two new 3G business phones
These new B01K and E02SA phones from AU proclaim their intended purpose: "for business," loud and proud, but what else do they have going for them in that regard? Not a whole lot, though 3G is always pleasant. The B01K has POP mail, along with "remote lock" and "remote wipe" functions to protect your data even when you're not near your phone. The E02SA steps things up a bit with 802.11b/g for a little bit of VoIP, but that's about all we've got here. No word on what those cameras on both phones are capable of, but we're not guessing much, and they're not usually a plus for the biz types anyways.
LG KG920 5 megapixel cameraphone coming to Europe!
3.2 megapixel camera phones in Europe are just like, so yesterday. LG just announced that their previously South-Korea-only C960 cell shooter is hitting the cobbled streets of Europe as a GSM-variety LG-KG920...with that same 5 megapixel auto focus camera, flash, and lens-cover built-in. Yeah, it also features Bluetooth, MiniSD to store your snaps, and an MP3 player which is nice, but g’damn, 5-freakin’ megapixels! Come on LG, South Korea will soon be awash in 8 megapixels, you can afford to throw the US a fiver-bone too!
