News
Alltel offers stylish IM-ready KYOCERA Strobe handset, ideal for younger customers
Clamshell phone comes with hidden QWERTY keypad, camera with flash
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas and SAN DIEGO -- (July 7, 2006) -- Alltel Wireless, America's largest wireless network, and Kyocera Wireless, a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, announced today that the Kyocera Strobe is available at Alltel stores nationwide. The Strobe features a curved, stylish candybar design that opens lengthwise to reveal a second color display and a full QWERTY keypad inside."QWERTY keypads make for super-fast instant messaging, e-mail and texting," said Wade McGill, senior vice president for wireless product management at Alltel. "The Strobe from Alltel, which comes loaded with Axcess Instant Messaging right out of the box, proves once and for all that QWERTY keypads aren't just for business users anymore. Younger customers are going to love this phone."
The phone's hourglass figure and loop antenna combine to give it a unique appearance. Opening the clamshell reveals the keypad and a larger color screen ideal for viewing games and pictures. Users can alternate between the open and closed modes as many times as they like during a session without disrupting the phone's basic functionality.
The Kyocera Strobe features a VGA camera, built-in speakerphone and voice-activated dialing. It also has hands-free Bluetooth® wireless technology, BREW® 2.3.1, and Axcess Web capability.
"Our consumer testing has shown a strong attraction to Strobe by the ever-growing youth market," said Tom Maguire, vice president of global marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "It's combination of fun features and unique style make it ideal for young people on the go, whether for making a call, snapping a photo, or shooting off a quick IM or text message."
The Strobe is available from Alltel for $49.99 after a $40 mail-in rebate. This discounted price is available to new customers on two-year service agreements as well as to existing eligible customers on qualifying rate plans. A complete line of Genuine Accessories by Kyocera™ is also available for Strobe, including a Sport Strap that's perfect for tethering the phone to a backpack or belt loop.
Axcess Instant Messaging from Alltel Wireless lets users chat while they're on the go with AOL® Instant Messenger™ and Yahoo!® Messenger. Alltel customers can use an existing IM account or sign up for a new one. Standard text messaging rates apply.
Alltel is a customer-focused communications company with more than 15 million customers in 37 states and nearly $10 billion in annual revenues.
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 (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, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2006, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$10 billion (JP¥ 1,181,489 million) with net income of approximately US$596 million (JP¥ 69,696 million).
Alltel, NYSE: AT
www.alltel.com
© Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Strobe and Genuine Accessories by Kyocera are trademarks of Kyocera Wireless Corp. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kyocera Wireless Corp. is under license. AOL is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. Instant Messenger is a trademark of America Online, Inc. Yahoo! is a registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. BREW is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Inc. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.
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