Sprint needs to push device envelope: Is a dual-screen Android the cure?
Sprint will reportedly show off a dual-screen Android device Monday in an effort to distinguish the carrier from the likes of Verizon Wireless and AT&T.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Sprint will unveil a device dubbed Echo, which is made by Kyocera's U.S. unit. The big selling point: Two 3.5-inch touch screens that can be stacked. Anyone that has a two screen setup on their PC can tell you that this concept is at the least pretty interesting.
Sprint's game plan: Use devices like Echo to at least get into the conversation as Verizon Wireless and AT&T duel for Android and Apple iPhone customers. Meanwhile, Sprint needs to update its smartphone line-up, which rides with the increasingly tired looking Evo.
What remains to be seen is whether the Echo can juice Sprint's standing in the carrier wars. As described the Echo is this smartphone-tablet tweener. These tweener devices are either feast or famine. They can work well or look like Frankenstein.
Sprint has garnered some momentum, improved customer service and touted a WiMax network. That story was so 2010. In 2011, Sprint will need more pyrotechnics to stand out. Devices like the Echo may be a good start.
The Sprint event is at 6 p.m. EST. CNet News' Maggie Reardon will have live coverage and we'll be back with post-game analysis.