Strikingly Colorful Katana DLX by SANYO Puts Instant Access to Over-The-Air Song Downloads, Live TV and More in the Hands of Sprint Customers
Also new, the affordable Katana II by SANYO sports an ultra-thin design packed with must-have features and increased internal memory
Both new Katana models offer three attractive color options
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and CHATSWORTH, Calif. July 16 -- Recognizing that customers want instant wireless connectivity without sacrificing fashion, Sprint and SANYO today announced the availability of the Sprint Power Vision Phone KATANA DLX by SANYO. Operating on the Sprint Mobile Broadband network, Katana DLX by SANYO provides easy access to Sprint's exclusive multimedia content, including the Sprint Music Store. The Sprint Music Store provides customers with quick over-the-air song downloads for just 99 cents each with a Power Vision data pack.
Also announced today, the Sprint Vision Phone Katana II by SANYO offers more total download capacity (21MB) than its very popular predecessor, Katana by SANYO, which debuted last year. This improvement significantly increases the device's capacity for games, ring tones, applications and more. Katana II by SANYO runs on the Sprint Vision network and features a VGA camera, voice SMS and Sprint Mobile Email allowing users to access their email from popular providers simply by entering their username and password with no downloads required.
Both devices retain the thin profile introduced on the original Katana phone updated with a new luxurious finish. Katana DLX by SANYO is available in Platinum Ice, Champagne and Pink Satin. Katana II by SANYO is available in Cosmic Black, Pink Fascination and Midnight Steel.
Features shared by both Katana II by SANYO and Katana DLX by SANYO include power save mode, phone as modem, Bluetooth wireless technology, wireless backup for easily restoring contact information if the phone is ever lost, stolen or damaged and a large QVGA main display. Both devices are GPS-enabled supporting Sprint Navigation, powered by TeleNav, with turn-by-turn driving directions and more than 10 million business listings.
Katana DLX by SANYO offers a 1.3 MP camera and a microSD card slot that supports 4GB microSDHC cards that can hold up to 4,000 songs. It also provides quick and easy access to multimedia content including:
* Sprint Music Store(SM), powered by Groove Mobile, which allows users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone from a selection of more than 1.6 million songs.
* Sprint TV(SM) with more than 50 channels of live television and on-demand video and audio.
* More than a dozen streaming radio applications, including Sprint Radio and SIRIUS.
* Sprint Power View, the industry's first made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video programming network.
* On-Demand with up-to-date information on sports, weather, news, money and more customized to the user's zip code.
"We have sold millions of the fashionable Katana handset since its debut last summer," said Danny Bowman, vice president of Customer Equipment at Sprint. "Sprint is focused on listening to the needs of our customers so we updated the original model with more memory and improved features while also adding a step-up version that offers industry-leading music and video capabilities on our high speed network. We are confident that customers will appreciate the enhancements evident on both Katana II and Katana DLX."
"SANYO's legendary Katana phone set the standard for style, function and features," said Atsushi (Andy) Kodera, senior vice president and general manager of SANYO Fisher Company's Wireless Communications Division. "The large, bright screens of these new Katanas are ideal for easy viewing while texting, gaming or using productivity applications such as Sprint Navigation. The thin profile allows the user to easily slip the phone in a pocket or purse while the new finish and exciting new colors make a fashion statement."
SANYO was recently ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Wireless Mobile Phones in a Tie" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM) – Volume 1*. SANYO was evaluated on five key factors of customer satisfaction  physical design, operation, features, handset durability, and battery function. Sprint is SANYO's exclusive U.S. wireless carrier partner.
Both Katana DLX by SANYO and Katana II by SANYO are available in all Sprint retail channels including www.Sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1. Katana II by SANYO is priced at just $49.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and $50 mail-in rebate. Katana DLX by SANYO is priced at $129.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate. Standard Vision rates apply for music and other content downloads.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 53.6 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
About SANYO
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is a leader in providing solutions for the environment, energy and for lifestyle applications, based on its Brand Vision 'Think GAIA', with consolidated sales of US$18 billion for Fiscal Year 2006. SANYO Fisher Company( a division of SANYO North America Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electronic Co., Ltd.) based in Chatsworth, California markets mobile phones, audio systems,portable and mobile electronics, televisions, dictation devices, digital camera/camcorder combinations, home appliances, LCD projectors, and security video equipment. For more information, visit SANYO Wireless Communications online at www.sanyowireless.com
*SANYO received the highest numerical score in a tie among wireless users in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2007 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM). Study based on responses from 21,520 consumers who have owned their current wireless phone for less than two years, measuring eight wireless handset manufacturers and measures opinions of consumers with their wireless handset. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in September through October 2006 and January through February 2007. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com/cc.
Media Contact:
Michelle Leff, Sprint
(703) 592-7504
Michelle.Leff@sprint.com