WIN of the day – Hello Kitty Android super-phone

by Jim Farmer on Aug 21st 2011, 11:40am
tagged 16MP, 1GHZ, Aquos, Blu-Ray, Gingerbread, Google, hd, Hello Kitty, infrared, Micro HDMI, Snapdragon, softbank, tv, wallet, waterproof, Yahoo

Softbank, the mobile carrier in Japan surprised us yesterday with the announcement of a Yahoo phone running Google’s Android OS; yeah, strange. Things just get weirder. Today the Japanese carrier brings us the Hello Kitty branded Aquos. For this special Hello Kitty edition, owners will have the privilege to enjoy Kitty themed menus, screens, icons, mail, calculator, alarm clock, and more. Although the phone is heavily branded with Hello Kitty, there is a Snoopy theme as well. While it may be cute and glamorous, don’t be fooled. The Aquos is a beast. Aside from being the world’s first Android flip phone, you’ll find that the Aquos has

Gingerbread 2.3
1Ghz 2nd gen Snapdragon processor
16MP camera with 1280×720 HD video recording
IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0+EDR
GPS
Micro HDMI
microSD/SDHC slot (shipped with a 2GB card inside)
waterproof body
digital TV tuner
digital wallet function (Felica/RFID)
infrared port
Blu-ray recorder connectivity

Ladies, many of you commented on our previous article about the HTC Bliss with outcries for pocket powerhouse, so I look forward to reading your comments in response to this device. Guys if you think you’re too cool to rock a Hello Kitty phone, it’s also available in plain blue.

[via Engadget]

Sharp’s Android 2.3 “Yahoo Phone” To Be Released In Japan Next Month

by Justin Routhier on Aug 19th 2011, 6:36am
tagged android 2.3, bluetooth, Japan, sharp, softbank, wifi, Yahoo

In a country that ranks Yahoo as its number one website, it seems to make good sense to create a “Yahoo Phone” doesn’t it? After all, designing android devices around customer’s favorite websites seems to be all the rage since we began seeing the HTC Status earlier this summer. Sharp is manufacturing the phone and it will be released next month under the mobile provider Softbank, the country’s third biggest carrier and whose majority shareholder happens to be Yahoo Japan.

Its many features include the Android 2.3 OS, a 4-inch LCD with qHD resolution (960 x 540), an 8MP CMOS camera, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, a micro SDHC slot, a digital TV tuner, an e-wallet function and even infrared communications. The device will most likely come pre-installed with such Yahoo Japan services as Yahoo Japan Home, Yahoo Japan Auctions and Yahoo Loco. To sweeten the deal a little more, Softbank subscribers will become Yahoo Japan premium members for two years at no cost (a $9 value) and users can earn additional Yahoo Shopping points during that time also.

With plenty of solid corporate backing and a population chock full of Yahoo-using consumers, it seems like a no-brainer to me. What do you think? Leave us a comment below.

[via tc]

Myriad to develop MMS app for Softbank Android devices

by Jesse Bauer on Oct 8th 2010, 9:20pm
tagged Android, android 2.2, froyo, mms, mms service, myriad, softbank, softbank mobile

Softbank wants to put out an app on Android called “S!Mail” for their launch of “Softbank Mail”. Softbank has chosen Myriad Group to develop this MMS service, specifically for Android 2.2 OS.

This deal marks a shift for Myriad and their growth in the Android Market. You can read the official Press release below.