Today it is my great pleasure to review the only Android device of it’s kind, as of current. The Kyocera Echo only fo Sprint. This device is sporting two 3.5 WVGA touchscreens, a first for an Android device and phones altogether. This dual screen combines to make a 4.7 display that can work as one or allows you to use each screen independently. The Echo has all of the functions of all of the other Android 2.2 (Froyo) devices out but comes to the party ready to amaze. It has apps that truly optimize it’s potential with it’s intuitive dual screens. Apps such as VueQue allows you to create a playlist of videos on the bottom screen while watching your current video on the top screen. It also has multi-tasking or simul-task capabalities. The simul-task allows usage of both screens to run seperate task or even web-sites.
Kyocera and Sprint have truly embraced the Android experience and decided the Evo will not be the only flagship phone that the carrier will have. The Echo’s dual screens are definetly a fresh look to the current Android OS and it’s market apps, using tablet mode. It comes with an 8GB microSD card and expandable to a 32. It has a 5MP rear camera with flash (no secondary camera on the front), autofocus, and 720 HD video recording capabilities. It has Sprint Zone to keep you up to date with your Sprint account and everything Sprint therein. Also apps for Sprint sponsored TV and movies, Football Live, Radio, and Nascar.
Apps can be played/viewed across the single display just as you would on any device or across both screens using tablet mode. It is recommended to download the Tablet Mode Extension mode app for greater viewing pleasure with your apps and Kyocera Echo while in tablet mode.
The browsing experience is renewed with two screens right at your finger tip. You can now browse multiple screens at once and not have to jump back and forth on one screen, unless two is still not good enough. It will take very little time to get the hang of switching between the two screens to surf the web, send texts, or use the phone all while keep the other screen free to watch a video, view pictures, or read an email. Aheads up for heavy texters or composers of an message, you will lose the bottom screen each time you need to type. The bottom screen seeems to be the main screen for your keyboard.
TG 2 Cents
To wrap things up, Kyocera has put their stamp on the mobile world with this device. The structure of the Echo is well thought out from the hinge to support the dual screens to the size when in single screen mode (there is a little bulge but not to noticeable). The 1 GHz Snapdragon, A2DP capable, 5 device WiFi hotspot supported device is fun, marketable and fresh. The design is uncompelled and they (Kyocera and Sprint) know it. The biggest selling point is surrounded by the dual screens right down to the Vue Que and other apps. While it is not without it’s flaws, the hinge is noticeable when viewing in full screen, the device could have been 4G, and 1080 is always better than 720 for videos but then the price point isn’t all that bad as of now at $199.99 for 2 years. Sprint customers will be pleasantly pleased with this device for their renewed entertainment experience.
