Kyocera Cyclops Announced for Virgin Mobile USA

Kyocera Cyclops

Kyocera Cyclops

Kyocera Cyclops

Kyocera has announced a new handset for Virgin Mobile USA with two firsts for the carrier. The new Cyclops, as the handset is to be known, features Virgin Mobile's TXT Tones and Virgin Audio Messaging, as well as other mid-range features and a sleek design.

In partnership with Warner Music Group, Virgin Mobile's TXT Tones service functions similar to other ringtone purchasing systems, though instead of buying longer segments of songs, only three to five second clips are available, and are designed to be used for message alert tones. Each TXT Tone costs US$1.50 to download, and can be purchased either online at www.virginmobileusa.com or through the handset's VirginXL menu.

Virgin Mobile Audio Messaging (VAM) is aimed at expanding existing messaging functionality by allowing the user to create a contact list to see who is available to be 'VAMed,' and subsequently record and send a voice message to the other party. If the other person is available, they can listen to the message and reply with their own, and if not the message will be stored and available to them when they are.

The Kyocera Cyclops also features a built in 1.3 megapixel camera, 65k color TFT LCD display, and 14MB of on board memory. Additionally, phone features like a speakerphone and voice-activated dialing are also included.

Virgin Mobile will make the Kyocera Cyclops available on November 2, 2006 for a suggested retail price of US$99.99.