If there’s one thing Kyocera is known for, it’s releasing inexpensive waterproof devices for carriers. Building on its relatively successful “Hydro” line, the Kyocera Hydro Plus is headed to Cricket today for just $139 — and that’s without a contract. This 3.5-inch (320 x 480) device is rated for 30 minutes of exposure in three feet of water, but given the price you can’t expect much on the internal spec sheet.
We’re looking at a 1GHz processor, a 3.2MP camera, 2GB of storage (with a 4GB SDcard in the box), 512MB of RAM and a 1500mAh battery. Thats all running Android 4.0 with little customization from Kyocera or Cricket aside from the Muve Music service and a few pre-installed apps. You’ll also be sticking to just 3G on this handset — this price point just doesn’t support the inclusion of an LTE radio.
If you know someone on Cricket looking for an extremely cheap device that’ll get the job done for basic tasks and is also waterproof, this may be one of the few choices.
CRICKET DIVES BACK INTO WATERPROOF WITH THE NEW KYOCERA HYDRO PLUS
~ The Newest Member of the Popular Kyocera Hydro Series of Android Smartphones Brings Waterproof Protection to Cricket’s Muve Music 4.0 ~
SAN DIEGO — January 21, 2014 — Cricket Communications and Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced Cricket’s launch of theKyocera Hydro Plus, the newest member of the Kyocera Hydro Series, a collection of waterproof Android™ smartphones built to protect against life’s messy mishaps. With a no-contract price of only $139.99 (MSRP), the new Hydro Plus is outfitted with Cricket’s Muve Music 4.0, offering customers quicker and easier access to millions of songs and the ability to store music directly on the device, which includes a 4GBmicroSDTM memory card, and can support cards up to 32GB. Hydro Plus is available at Cricket company-owned stores and dealers nationwide and on www.mycricket.com.
“Our active customers will love that they can have all their favorite features on the affordable, waterproof Hydro Plus without having to change how they live their lives,” said Matt Stoiber, senior vice president of devices for Cricket. “Our new Muve Music 4.0 allows people to carry their favorite music with them while on the go, discovering and downloading new music right from their home screens.”
Since Muve Music 4.0 is included as part of Cricket’s no-contract, unlimited rate plans, customers can access more than 16 million tracks at no additional charge. Hydro Plus features a Muve Music sidebar on its home screen, making it easier for customers to listen to their favorite music and discover new tunes. If they hear something they like, customers can listen while they download. Muve Music also helps people discover new favorites through monthly artist programs such as Muve First and Muve Headliner, featuring exclusive commentary, music and videos every month from up-and-coming and top-producing artists only available to Muve Music.
Similar to the other members of the Kyocera Hydro Series, the new Hydro Plus boasts IPx5- and IPx7-level protection against liquids. Hydro is certified waterproof against sprayed water and full immersion up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. So whether splashed during bath time, caught in a downpour or dropped in a puddle, sink or the dreaded toilet, Hydro Plus will prevail where other handsets fail.
“The Hydro Plus is the fifth member of Kyocera’s Hydro Series, which has quickly become the gold standard in affordable waterproof smartphones,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “Combine great real-world features like Kyocera’s waterproofing with Cricket’s Muve Music and fantastic service plans, and Hydro Plus becomes a tremendous way for Cricket customers to stay connected and entertained in any environment without breaking the bank.”
The Kyocera Hydro Plus can be activated on any one of Cricket’s three monthly smartphone service-plan options starting at $50 per month. All Cricket plans, including smartphone service plans, feature all-inclusive pricing with no service fees and no overage charges. For customers, that means a predictable monthly bill, regardless of increasing usage, offered at a price point that fits into a value-conscious budget.
The Hydro Plus features a 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive 480×320 IPS LCD touchscreen display and Swype for rapid text entry. It has a MSM8655 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor, 2GB ROM, 512MB RAM memory and supports microSD™ memory cards up to 32GB. Taking pictures and video is a breeze with a 3.2 megapixel camera with an LED flash and a 30 frame-per-second camcorder, and fast uploading and transferring is enabled via Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Stereo Bluetooth® (2.1 + EDR) wireless technology support and high-speed USB 2.0. Hydro Plus also includes a 3-axis accelerometer, a digital compass, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor and Kyocera’s “Eco Mode” software to monitor and conserve battery power. Despite its water resistance, Hydro Plus is a trim 4.53 x 2.44 x 0.50 in. and weighs only 4.16 ounces.
For more information about Cricket’s dynamic service and newest device lineup, visit www.mycricket.com. To follow Cricket’s recent news and updates online, visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/ cricketwireless and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ cricketnation.
For more information about Kyocera Hydro Plus, visit http://www.kyocerasmartphones. com/.
About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer and leader in delivering innovative value-rich prepaid wireless services with no long-term contracts. Cricket offers nationwide wireless voice and mobile data services over high-quality, all-digital 4G LTE and 3G CDMA wireless networks. Cricket’s innovative products and services, including the award-winning Muve Music® - the first music service designed for a wireless phone, are available nationwide at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers, national retailers and at www.mycricket.com. For more information about Cricket, please visit www.mycricket.com.
About Kyocera Communications Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life’s challenges. At the heart of Kyocera’s products is a belief that one size doesn’t fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, visitwww.kyocerasmartphones.com, or follow the company at www.facebook.com/ kyoceramobilephones or www.twitter.com/kyoceramobile.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine (or “advanced”) ceramics. Kyocera specializes in combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, such as solar power generating systems, printers, copiers, mobile phones, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the year ended March 31, 2013, the company’s net sales totaled 1.28 trillion yen (approx. USD13.6 billion).
Original post:
Kyocera Hydro Plus headed to Cricket today for $139 off-contract