Sprint has already launched the Samsung Transform and the LG Optimus S at a recent event. The Sanyo Zio is the third handset in the lineup which was showcased by Sprint and Kyocera Communications at the CTIA Enterprise and Applications trade show.
The device works on the Android 2.1 operating system and is fitted with a 3.5 inch WVGA touchscreen. Sporting a 3.2MP camera that can record videos at 30 fps, the handset touts to offer multiple keyboard options with haptic feedback. It features an accelerometer that rotates the screen from portrait to landscape and an ambient light sensor which can automatically adjust the screen brightness. Loaded with a trackball, navigating among functions like social apps for Twitter, Facebook and MySpace becomes effortless.
“With Sprint ID, Zio introduces a new level of personalization that allows users to completely customize their devices to match their hobbies, interests or personalities,” stated Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “Each ID offers a variety of unique apps, widgets, wallpapers and ringtones and gives users the opportunity to customize their devices. Pairing Sprint ID with Zio, a robust and easy-to-use Android 2.1 device, offers a rich multimedia experience with a large intuitive touch-screen at an amazing price.”
“We are confident that Zio’s blend of style, functionality and affordability will make the virtually unlimited customization and personalization of Android available to entirely new groups of consumers who were intimidated by the technology or price of previous smartphones,” asserted Yasuhiro Oishi, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “Zio humanizes the technology and puts the power of Android in a sleek, attractive device.”
The Sanyo Zio bundles up features like a GPS, preloaded Google Maps, digital compass, media player and a full HTML Web browser. Further, it comes pre-installed with Exchange Email application which renders support to calendar, contacts, corporate Outlook e-mail, ActiveSync, enhanced security features and tasks. The Zio is styled in jet black with silver trimming and appears to be an elegant device. Tipping the scales at 3.7 ounces its thickness measures up just 0.5 inches.
Offering 512MB of internal memory, it comes boxed with a 2GB microSD card and has an expandable memory of up to 32GB microSDHC cards. Users will have to activate one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans with this device. It comes with the Sprint Free Guarantee and a fresh two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. Available at all Sprint retail channels, the Sanyo Zio is priced at $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate excluding taxes.