Sprint has announced the forthcoming launch of the Kyocera DuraPlus DirectConnect phone.

The phone is the third in Kyocera’s line of rugged push to talk handsets with an M810G certified bodyshell  for resistance to dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, blowing rain and water immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water.

Along with the bodyshell, the phone has an embedded LED Flashlight with a dedicated button and a remote speaker microphone jack allowing the use of heavy duty remote speaker microphones and it features an external charging port that enables the device to be used with a single or multi-bay charging station which will be sold as an additional accessory and is targeted to fleet purchases for commercial use.

The phone features the following specifications:

SPRINT DIRECT CONNECT FEATURES

• Sprint Direct Connect – Instant, one-to-one push-to-talk calling nationwide on the Sprint network, with any other Direct Connect subscriber. Direct Connect is the core push-to-talk feature and is designed for interoperability across Sprint and Nextel network platforms.
• Guaranteed Talk Permit – The assurance that when you hear the push-to-talk “chirp” that your call was successfully transmitted.
• Call Alert with Text – Send an audio alert with an optional text message to let another Direct Connect subscriber know you are trying to reach them and why.
• Group Connect® – Communicate with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers all at once – nationwide, at the push of one button.
• TeamDCSM – Communicate with up to 200 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers at the same time nationwide2.
• NextMail® – Send a recorded message to any email worldwide or mobile handset via text message by using the Direct Connect button.
• Availability Notification – Request the availability status of another push-to-talk member and, if they are busy, request a notification when they are free.

KEY FEATURES

• Military Standard 810G Spec compliance for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, blowing rain and water immersion (up to 30 minutes in up to one meter/3.28 ft. of water).
• Encased in rubber, non-slip Dura-Grip® material for sure hold and extra durability.
• Additional connectors for a remote speaker microphone and charging bay (optional accessories not included).
• Robust, front-ported speakerphone for excellent sound quality in noisy environments.
• Embedded LED Flashlight with dedicated button.
• Non-camera phone for jobs where cameras are prohibited.
• Ultra-efficient display produces superior brightness and contrast using less power, making it ideal in outdoor settings.
• Flat, stable bottom for freestanding operation.
• Limit Use – a great tool for business managers that restricts users from utilizing certain functions on the phone
• Sprint Mobile Sync – add and edit all your contacts and groups, including TeamDC groups, online. Also allows you to transfer contacts to a new phone and erase contact information from a lost phone.
• Bluetooth® connectivity 2.0 + EDR (includes support for Bluetooth capable PTT headsets and barcode scanners).
• SMS and MMS messaging.
• Browser-based email for access to POP3 and IMAP accounts.
• 2.5 mm headphone jack (supports PTT headsets).
• Multiple language support – English, Spanish.
• Hearing aid compatibility (HAC): Rating M4/T4 TTY capable.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.2 x .93 inches, weight: 6.67 oz
• Display: 2.0-inch QVGA TFT (240 x 320 pixels)
• Removable 1650 mAh battery for up to xx hours continuous talk-time

The phone will be released during the first half of the year.

Sprint has announced the forthcoming launch of two new phones from Kyocera in the Milano and Brio. Both will be launched tomorrow, with the Milano going for $49.99 after new agreement and rebate, while the Brio will be offered for free after the same terms.

Kyocera Milano
The Milano features Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and includes Sprint iD support with a 3.0 inch QVGA resolution display, QWERTY keyboard and Swype keyboard. Additional features include a 3.2-megapixel camera, 512MB of on-board storage, microSD slot, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, GPS, and hotspot support for up to five devices. The Milano also includes Kyocera’s Eco Mode power-management application that helps users manage battery life.

Kyocera Brio
The entry-level Brio features a porrtait QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD support, email, messaging, and Family Locator support.

Following its near immediate removal due to reports of the update bricking handsets, Sprint has resumed the Android Gingerbread update rollout for the Kyocera Echo, with the update being conducted during the next few weeks. The update was meant to upgrade the device to Android Gingerbread as well as add an Eco Mode app that controls battery consumption along with a spate of fixes for battery life and Wi-Fi.

Sprint will restart the Gingerbread update to Kyocera Echo users beginning today (August 10). In an effort to provide the best possible customer experience, Kyocera and Sprint have addressed a previous issue with the update raised last week. The Gingerbread update will provide Kyocera Echo users with performance enhancements including faster response, improved power management, enhancements for gaming, and more. Every Echo customer should have the update within the next few weeks.

Following the rollout of the Kyocera Echo Android Gingerbread update early yesterday, users that attempted to apply the over the air update found that it bricked devices to the point of non functioning, leading to multiple reports warning against applying the update. Sprint has acknowledged the update issue and has pulled the update with no ETA on when the update rollout will be restarted. The update was meant to upgrade the device to Android Gingerbread as well as add an Eco Mode app that controls battery consumption along with a spate of fixes for battery life and Wi-Fi.

According to a slide from the latest internal playbook, Sprint will be rolling out Android Gingerbread for the Kyocera Echo dual screen Android smartphone beginning on Monday. The upfdate will include improvements to power management, security patches, EAS improvements, Swype 3.0, improved text input, new download manager and other fixes.

Sprint has officially announced its first two second generation Sprint Direct Connect phones in the Kyocera DuraMax and Dura Core clamshells. The phones feature a mil-spec 810G bodyshell and are encased in a rubber “Dura-Grip” guard for increased durability. Additionally, the phones will support Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability for long-range off-network usage, simultaneous data and push to talk, and availability notifications. Sprint said it will add more Direct Connect features in 2012, including international PTT support.

The DuraMax features a 3.2 megapixel camera with video capture; 2.0 inch QVGA display, pre-installed 1GB microSD card with support for 32GB cards, stereo Bluetooth support and GPS transceiver, 2.5mm headset jack and messaging support. The Kyocera DuraCore adds a bi-directional speakerphone and a large-font option for the phone’s menus and removes the camera.

Pricing and availability have yet to be revealed officially, but the latest roadmap has confirmed that both phones will be launched on September 9th along with confirming a third Motorola smartphone with Sprint DirectConnect support without elaborating on specifications.

Making good on its previous statement, Kyocera has opened up its development program for the forthcoming Kyocera Echo dual-screen Android smartphone.

The Echo Development program features a dedicated portal where interested developers can download all of the tools necessary to develop applications that take advantage of the smartphone’s dual displays and simultaneous multi-tasking as well as the option to request a loaner device for development. The Kyocera Echo will be launched on April 17th for $199.99.

This morning, Sprint released the first details on its second CDMA-based push-to-talk platform following the unsuccessful rollout of QChat. The new platform will be known as Sprint Direct Connect and is set to launch by the end of the year.

The new service will carry over all features found on iDEN and will include new features such as group PTT with up to 200 participants, Land Mobile Radio support and interoperability between devices, along with presence notification. Sprint Direct Connect will launch first on phones from Motorola and Kyocera in the fourth quarter. In 2012, more features will be added to Sprint Direct Connect, such as international direct connect support. Sprint further states the phones will support “high-speed data, high-resolution cameras, and Bluetooth while the two handsets confirmed in the launch lineup will be an Android smartphone with a touch screen and QWERTY keyboard, as well as a rugged clamshell.

Sprint also confirmed that the new technology is being made possible by its Network Vision initiative, while stating that the footprint of this new PTT system will be three times bigger than the current iDEN network, covering 2.7 million square miles and 309 million POPs. Interoperability with its existing PTT device lineup has also been confirmed with Sprint also launching a transition program to the new CDMA-based Sprint Direct Connect network for those that still own iDEN phones later this year.

More information on Sprint Direct Connect will be revealed during CTIA 2011, being held next week in Orlando. Mobile developers have also been invited to learn more about the new platform, with Sprint offering a first look at the new network and platform during its Sprint Gets Rugged developer panel next week.

Sprint has announced pricing and launch details for the latest flagship Android smartphone from the carrier in the Echo, developed in conjunction with Kyocera. The KyoceraDS Echo will be released on April 17th across all Sprint sales channels.

The Echo will feature two 3.5 inch widescreen displays at 853×480 resolution each with a patent pending hinge design that will allow for horizontal and vertical use.  The Android Froyo-powered device is meant to bridge the gap between conventional smartphones and larger MIDs/tablets without sacrificing power or having to deal with portability issues.

As previously reported, the device resembles a Nintendo DS when opened in Tablet mode and will usher in two new modes of operation, which Kyocera and Sprint call “Simul-tasking”  by including seven custom developed applications that take advantage of both displays and operate simultaneously (Messaging/Email/Gallery/VueCue/Contacts/Phone) with device specific APIs being released in the future for developers to take advantage of when developing applications.

Accessories included with the Echo will also include a charger with a second battery for extended use that can be swapped out at will once the battery in the device is spent or can be utilized with the charger.

As expected, the long-awaited Android Froyo update for the Sanyo Zio is now available via Wi-Fi update and will be made available via select Cricket locations and third-party dealers. To help owners, Cricket has also posted a series of pictograms detailing how to update the device via Wi-Fi on its Facebook page. It should be noted that the update was initially meant to be Éclair but was instead pushed up to Froyo. Read more for the images.