kyocera

CNET's Best of CTIA 2012

NEW ORLEANS--After three furious days, CTIA 2012 has come to a close. Though a visit to the Crescent City always is enjoyable, this year's event was a little quieter than in past years. But that doesn't mean we didn't see some very cool stuff. Here's what the CNET team picked as the Best of CTIA 2012.

Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S III Samsung may have unveiled its Samsung Galaxy S III flagship phone days before CTIA 2012 kicked off, but CTIA was our first chance to handle it. And at the end of the day, the … Read more

Ultrabooks no longer ultra-pricey

In today's show, Google takes us for a spin, ultrabooks are no longer ultra-pricey, and the iPad isn't just for humans anymore:

Hewlett-Packard announced several new thin and light laptops under the Envy brand. Some are officially called ultrabooks, equiped with Intel's latest Ivy Bridge processors, while less-expensive ones are called sleekbooks. But regardless of the different labels, it means high-quality thin and light laptops are moving into the $600 to $700 price range. (There's even a rumor that the MacBook Air -- the computer that kickstarted the ultrabook craze -- will drop its price to $… Read more

Kyocera Rise hands-on: Let those fingers fly

NEW ORLEANS--For those whose hearts go aflutter and fingers go a-flying for QWERTY keyboards, Kyocera's newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich handset (yes, you read that right -- it has ICS), the Kyocera Rise, may be up your alley.

The phone manufacturer announced the handset at CTIA 2012. Along with the slide-out keyboard, it also sports a 3.5-inch LCD touch-screen display and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

In the rear is a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash. The 3G handset is also equipped with the Swype virtual keyboard and Bluetooth 2.1.

"We did a lot of consumer … Read more

Kyocera Hydro hands-on: Don't call it rugged

NEW ORLEANS -- Kyocera isn't a stranger to making water-resistant phones. Since 2008, the manufacturer has released 16 devices, all of which can withstand a good splash or two. Today, the manufacturer announced its newest addition to the lineup: The Kyocera Hydro.

Unlike the Kyocera DuraPlus, which is aimed for an enterprise demographic, the Hydro is made to please a wider audience.

The Hydro is a sleek handset that can not only withstand being sprayed with water, but it can also be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It's powered by a 1GHz … Read more

Kyocera unveils its new audio-boosting technology

NEW ORLEANS--In addition to the many niche devices Kyocera has under its belt, like its handful of rugged phones for enterprise workers, the phone manufacturer announced tonight its hard-tissue conduction audio technology.

Considered a "revolution" in voice clarity by Kyocera representatives, the company plans to roll out new devices equipped with a ceramic transducer that can transmit sound through the cartilage in your ear, as well as other localized hard tissue.

"When you hold a device to your ear or head, the sound bypasses the eardrum and puts those vibrations into your inner ear," said John … Read more

Ultra-durable Kyocera DuraPlus available March 11

Designed extra-tough for extreme conditions, Sprint's Kyocera DuraPlus will be available to consumers on March 11 for about $69.99 after you sign a two-year contract on Sprint's Direct Connect PTT network and send in for a $50 rebate.

As CNET's own Brian Bennett reported, the device is designed to meet the U.S. military's brutal survivability guidelines.

It can "withstand exposure to dust storms, shocks and vibrations, drenching rains, plus extreme swings of temperature." And don't worry if you accidentally drop this one in the pool--it can be submerged in up to … Read more

Kyocera DuraPlus to bolster Sprint's rugged phone lineup

For those who work or play in places delicate smartphones fear to tread, Kyocera's new DuraPlus rugged handset is for you.

Designed to meet the U.S. military's brutal 810G survivability guidelines, Kyocera claims the candybar-style DuraPlus can withstand exposure to dust storms, shocks and vibrations, drenching rains, plus extreme swings of temperature. The phone is even billed to take a dunk in 3 feet deep water for up to 30 minutes. … Read more

Kyocera DuraCore review: Stripped-down push-to-talk

The way I see it, the demographic of buyers for the Kyocera DuraCore is rather slim.

Rugged, it absolutely is, but it's also rather plain. It has a thick, sturdy build, a good, grippy surface, and is the third phone to ride on Sprint's new Direct Connect network. However, if you're looking for a durable device with a camera, a microSD card slot, and even more ruggedness, the Kyocera DuraMax will be more your speed. If it's a basic, durable phone you want for just making calls, stick with the more affordable DuraCore.

Watch the video, … Read more

Kyocera Brio review: Sprint priced it right

Like a good top tier carrier, Sprint has a handful of free phones available to you at no cost when you sign up for a two-year plan. I remember my first one now, an incredibly ugly gold-colored Kyocera candybar phone--but hey, it worked!--and that was good enough to get me through my days as a poor college student.

I wish that the Kyocera Brio had been available back then. It comes with a QWERTY keyboard and offers strong call quality. Here's a sampling of the pros and cons, with many more when you read the full review.

The good The Kyocera Brio has good call quality, access to Web-based e-mail, and room for a 32GB expansion card, and it's free with a new two-year contract.

The bad The Brio's buttons and keyboard could be more comfortable to use, the camera is pretty terrible, and the Internet experience is poor. The Brio is not a 3G phone.

The bottom line The Kyocera Brio is worth the price you pay for it, but unless you're in the market for a free feature phone with a small screen, QWERTY keyboard, and good call quality, keep on moving.

Watch the video, see the photos, and read the full Kyocera Brio review.… Read more