Users can assign unique illumination colors and patterns to individual callers, messages and alerts CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 18
CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Katana Eclipse by SANYO,
the newest entry in the Katana portfolio, gives users an exciting new way to
customize their phones using assignable illumination effects. With these
effects, users can see at a glance by the color and lighting pattern that is
displayed who is calling, or if a text or email message has been received or
if an alert has been activated. Users can choose between forty different
effects using seven LED colors. The Katana Eclipse also features many other
powerful multimedia capabilities including a built-in music player, access to
Sprint Music Store(SM) with over-the-air music downloads, Sprint TV(R), Sprint
Navigation, a microSDHC memory card slot, integrated stereo Bluetooth(R) and
mobile email.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080818/LAM520)
The lighting effects on the Katana Eclipse provide a handy way to identify
a caller when in a darkened place or when locating the phone in a purse or
briefcase. They also make it helpful to identify a call in a noisy
environment, such as a nightclub, or can be used when in a very quiet
environment -- a call can still be identified even with the ringers and
vibration mode off. In addition to customizing calls and messages, the
illumination patterns can be assigned to the music playing mode, just for fun,
or can be completely disabled for those times when the feature is not desired.
"Wireless users already love customizing their phones with ringers,
wallpapers and screen savers. Now, the illumination effects on the Katana
Eclipse provide a unique new way for people to expand on this
personalization," said Andy Kodera, president of KYOCERA SANYO Telecom, Inc.
(KSTI). "For example, a user can assign a blinking blue light for calls from
Mom and a glowing purple light for a text message from a girlfriend. A
voicemail from the boss might show up as a red 'echo' effect. Some of the
effects are quite subtle while others are flashy. This feature is not only
fun, but also very practical in a lot of situations where the visual
indication is quite useful."
Like the previous Katana handsets, the Eclipse has stunning design
elements, like a thin clamshell shape that is easy to hold in the hand. The
external music controls make it convenient to operate the integrated music
player. External side buttons control the volume and camera for easy access.
The Eclipse offers excellent music and entertainment capabilities. It has
a microSDHC slot that supports memory cards up to 8GB for storing music,
pictures, video clips, and voice recordings, and also offers quick and easy
access to Sprint exclusive content, including:
-- Sprint TV(R) with an extensive selection of live and on-demand
programming including Sprint Exclusive Entertainment (SEE), the
industry's only made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video
programming network.
-- Sprint Music Store(SM) offering over-the-air downloads of full-length
songs for just 99 cents each
-- Sprint Radio with more than 150 channels
-- Sprint Navigation with GPS-enabled audio and visual turn-by-turn
driving directions, one-click traffic rerouting and more than 10
million local listings.
-- Live Search for Sprint providing easy access to directory information
on-the-go, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access.
-- Sprint Mobile Email for POP3 accounts including AOL, Gmail, Yahoo! as
well as corporate email
Other features of the Eclipse include integrated stereo Bluetooth
capabilities and a high-quality speakerphone. An integrated 1.3 Megapixel
camera with 12x zoom and video camcorder is useful for taking pictures and
video on the go. Productivity tools include Wireless Backup to store the
contact list in the event the phone is lost or stolen, and Restrict and Lock
to restrict calls and limit access to data services.
The Katana Eclipse is available now through all Sprint retail channels
including http://www.sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1 for $99.99 with a two-year
subscriber agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
About KYOCERA SANYO Telecom, Inc. (KSTI)
Based in Chatsworth, CA, KYOCERA SANYO Telecom, Inc. oversees the
development, marketing and sales and support of SANYO-branded mobile phones in
North and South America. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera
International, Inc. (KII) of San Diego. For more information about SANYO
mobile phones, please visit http://www.sanyowireless.com.
About KYOCERA
San Diego-based Kyocera International, Inc. (KII) is the North American
headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the
Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By
combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating
them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of
telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components,
laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. In the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, the company's consolidated net sales
totaled 1.29 trillion yen (approximately $12.9 billion). For more information
please visit http://www.kyocera.com.
SOURCE KYOCERA SANYO Telecom, Inc.
