14 DAY TRIAL // To support the creation of Android apps optimized for its newly announced Kyocera Echo dual-touchscreen smartphone, the company has unveiled the formal launch of the Kyocera Android Developer Program at the CTIA Wireless 2011 trade show.
Kyocera's Developer Program includes a software development kit (SDK) and additional materials that will help devs optimize their apps for the first dual-touchscreen smartphone available on the market.
“Kyocera Echo's unique design gives third-party developers a new opportunity to enhance and showcase the full functionality of their applications, without being restricted by screen space,” said Yasuhiro Ohishi, vice president of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc.
The Echo's dual touchscreens are supposed to be ideal for mobile gaming, social networking, location-based services, productivity, as well as mobile entertainment.
According to Kyocera, the company works with big players in the mobile gaming industry to deliver unique gaming experiences, including Electronic Arts (Sims 3), Gameloft (Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD, Assassins Creed Altaïr's Chronicles HD, N.O.V.A.- Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance HD, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, Spider-Man: Total Mayhem and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction), and NAMCO BANDAI Games America (PAC-MAN, Pool Pro Online 3, More Brain Exercise with Dr. Kawashima and Crush the Castle).
The device operates in Single-Screen Mode for full smartphone functionality when it's closed, while the Simul-Task Mode allows for two of the phone's seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue) to run concurrently but independently on the dual displays.
When Optimized Mode is active, both displays support a single, optimized app with complementary functionality and enhanced usability, while the Tablet Mode enables users to expand an application across both displays for a full 4.7-inch viewing area.
The Echo will be delivered with optimized apps available from EA, Gameloft, Namco Bandai, MobiTV, Jibe Mobile, Telenav and others, to enhance user experience.
Kyocera Echo is expected to be available on April 17, exclusively from Sprint, for $199 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. However, customers will be able to reserve the smartphone beginning March 26, directly from the carrier's website.