Camera Phone Adds Voice Messages To Wireless Pictures

March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- CTIA Wireless 2003 -- Sprint and Sanyo today unveiled the PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100, the first built-in camera phone to add a ten-second voice message to any picture, then send it wirelessly to family and friends. Using voice message service included with PCS Vision from Sprint, those who own a PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100 can instantly capture life's special moments with sound, as well as with sight. Users simply select voice message mode for any picture, then easily record anything from descriptive comments to ambient sounds. Images with voice messages can then be uploaded to a photo account on the Sprint Pictures web site and readily sent to other PCS Vision phones or computers, for sharing nationwide.

During the 1st quarter of 2003, Sprint crossed a significant early milestone with the addition of its one millionth PCS Vision customer. Sprint leads the industry in the use of advanced data services. PCS Vision from Sprint includes services that allow customers to take and receive pictures from select PCS Phones; browse the Internet at speeds faster than most dial-up connections; check personal and corporate e-mail; watch clips and stream audio for news and music; download polyphonic, animated and voice ringers, and full- color, graphically-rich games and screen savers.

Offering a clear fashion sense to match its crystal clear calls, the PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100 gives consumers a choice of three stylish colors -- Silver, Navy/Gold or Pearl White. The 8100 supports PCS Vision applications and services, including downloadable Java-based games, animated ringers and screen savers. Sprint, which operates the largest all-digital, nationwide PCS network and Sanyo will offer the PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100 to customers nationwide in the second quarter of 2003.

The PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100 with built-in camera offers Vision-enabled wireless voice and data communications capabilities. The 1.8-inch internal TFT LCD supports 65,536 colors and provides a rich, compelling experience when viewing photos, screen savers, animated ringers and games. The 1-inch external TFT 65,536-color LCD offers users the convenience of Caller ID for quickly identifying incoming calls by their number, or Photo-Caller ID, for instantaneously identifying incoming calls by viewing a previously selected image of the caller that has been linked to the handset's internal phone book.

"Sprint and Sanyo were the first to introduce a wireless phone with a built-in camera in the U.S. Sprint will clearly continue this leadership with more built-in camera phones that appeal to all ages and budgets. The Sanyo 8100 will be the centerpiece of the Sprint camera phone line-up," said Len Lauer, president of the PCS Division of Sprint. "The compact, clamshell-style Sanyo 8100 delivers easy point-and-shoot functionality at an affordable price, enabling families and young friends alike to share moments and memories nationwide."

"As the first wireless phone manufacturer to bring a built-in camera phone to the U.S. market, Sanyo is proud to introduce exciting new functionality, fashion and affordability to this rapidly growing category," said Atsushi Kodera, group vice president, general manager of Sanyo Fisher Company's Communications/Information Technology Division. "Now even more consumers can enjoy taking and instantly sharing digital images, and with the SCP-8100, Sprint and Sanyo give users the unique opportunity to share their memories on- the-go in a combined sight and sound experience."

PCS Vision(SM) from Sprint is available when using this phone. The service allows customers to browse the Internet wirelessly with speeds comparable to a home computer's dial-up connection; check personal and corporate e-mail; download polyphonic ringers and full-color, graphically-rich games and screen savers; and take and receive pictures on select Vision- enabled PCS Phones.

The PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100 specifically supports the following PCS Vision applications:

Pictures -- Capture, view and instantly send images wirelessly using the PCS Phone by Sanyo 8100.

Web -- PCS Vision provides an improved Web experience with downloads, icons and full-color graphic versions of popular Internet sites.

Games -- PCS Vision enables Sprint and its development partners to move the wireless game experience from the text-based games of today to graphically rich, full-color brand name games on Vision-enabled PCS Phones using the Java 2 platform, Micro Edition (J2ME).

Ringers -- Sprint was the first to offer polyphonic ringtones and now, with Vision-enabled PCS Phones from Sprint, users can express even more personality with hundreds of unique downloadable ringers, including the latest music releases, showtunes and sound effects that can be assigned to specific numbers in the address book.

Messaging -- PCS Vision makes wireless messaging services from Sprint an extension of the desktop experience with fully functioning Web-based PCS Mail, PCS Short Mail, Wireless Chat and Messaging Fun games.

Screen Savers -- PCS Vision allows customers to personalize their wireless service by wirelessly downloading screen savers right from their phone, many featuring synchronized animation.

For more information, visit the Sanyo Wireless Communications Web site at www.sanyowireless.com.

Source: Sprint