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Cricket Offers KYOCERA Koi, U.S.A.'s First Megapixel Camera Phone to be Offered with Flat-Rate Wireless Service
KYOCERA Koi Features 1.2 Megapixel Picture Quality, MPEG-4 Video and 16 MB Onboard Memory in a Unique Swivel Design
San Diego -- (January 14, 2004) -- Cricket® Communications, Inc., a leading provider of unlimited local and domestic long distance wireless services, and Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, today announced the immediate availability of the nation's first megapixel camera phone at a flat-rate service provider, the Kyocera Koi™. The fashionable, easy-to-use Koi marks Kyocera's entry into the megapixel camera phone market and Cricket's first megapixel camera phone offering.
Along with its unique "swiveling" design and large external display, Kyocera Koi features a 1.2 megapixel digital camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, MPEG-4 video record and playback, and 16 megabytes (MB) of onboard memory. Koi provides a camera phone solution to consumers with sharp, clear resolution for saving, printing and framing photos as large as 4" x 6." The handset also features a sliding protective lens cover so the lens won't get scratched in purses or pockets. Koi's unique swivel-to-open design adds additional style appeal for the user who wants a cutting-edge look.
The Kyocera Koi is available to Cricket® customers for $299.99. MMS/picture messaging will be available early this year.
"As with our popular Slider™ Series, the Kyocera Koi is another great example of our ability to combine intriguing new designs with superior technology and features in a phone that make sense and are easy to use," said Jim Kelly, chief operating officer, Kyocera Wireless Corp. "The 1.2 megapixel camera on Koi produces images that turn the cameraphone into a true next-generation multimedia device without compromising the original intended use of the handset -- as a wireless phone."
"The Kyocera Koi offers cutting-edge technology so our customers have access to the latest and hippest handsets," said Nitu Arora, vice president, product development for Cricket. "Megapixel camera phones continue to grow in popularity and our unlimited, contract-free, flat-rate pricing makes it a perfect choice for value-conscious consumers."
The phone will also offer a wide array of ringtones and graphics through Cricket Clicks™, including: RealTone Jukebox™, allowing subscribers to download real song clips as their ringtone; FlixTones™, downloadable movie clips as a ringtone; Soda Pop Mail™, receive and send email from your phone; Wallpaper Universe™, cool, customizable wallpapers; and two popular games Air Raid™ and Tetris®. More information on Cricket Clicks™ is available at www.mycricket.com/clicks/.
The easy-to-use Kyocera Koi can be used in open or closed mode; opening the cover automatically launches Koi into "camera" mode even when the phone is closed, making it simple to catch life's spontaneous moments. The large 262,000-color display is always visible to the user, and both the phone and digital camera can function when the phone is "closed" by using the jog dial and shutter button on the side of the phone. Expanding on Kyocera's renowned user interface, the phone features an extremely intuitive and user-friendly "pinwheel" menu option to quickly scroll through its many features. Large, easy-to-press keys are also ideal for quick and accurate number input and text messaging.
About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.
Kyocera Corporation, 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, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2004, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (JP¥ 1,140,814 million) with net income of approximately US$655 million (JP¥ 68,086 million).
About Cricket
Cricket is a simple and affordable wireless solution offering unlimited anytime minutes within a Cricket® calling area over its high-quality, all-digital network. Cricket® service is an affordable wireless alternative to traditional landline service. With a commitment to predictability, simplicity and value as the foundation of its business, Cricket designs and markets wireless products to meet the needs of everyday people. Cricket offers unlimited anytime minutes starting at $29.99 a month (plus taxes and fees) with no long-term agreements required. Cricket® customers can also make long distance calls on an unlimited basis through several packaged offerings or on a per-minute basis. Operating in 39 markets in 20 states stretching from New York to California, Cricket® service is available to customers in more than 840 different municipalities. For more information, please visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is a business of Leap Wireless International, Inc. [OTCBB: LEAP], headquartered in San Diego, Calif. Leap is a customer-focused company providing innovative mobile wireless services targeted to meet the needs of customers who are under-served by traditional communications companies. For more information visit www.leapwireless.com.
© 2005 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Koi and Slider are trademarks of Kyocera Wireless Corp. Tetris®; © Elorg 1987-2003. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
*Additional fees may apply.
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