Virgin Mobile USA Announces Holiday Headliner: The "Slider Sonic" Music Phone by Kyocera Wireless

27 September 2005

Press release: WARREN, N.J. - (September 27, 2005) - Taking on the competition this season is Virgin Mobile's Slider™ Sonic by Kyocera Wireless, the first music phone in the wireless provider's line-up. The Slider Sonic -- which comes with a 32MB microSD™ memory card, stereo headphones and a USB cable -- operates as a phone, MP3 player, video recorder, camera and all-around best mate. With a range of multimedia features and no long-term contract obligations, it is the music phone for teens this holiday season.
Get Crunk! It's All About the Music
A must-have for music lovers, customers will never want to take their hands off this Virgin! Users can download their favorite songs on the Slider Sonic in WMA and MP3 audio formats, record and play back 30-second videos and even check out free embedded videos from Wind-up artists Seether and Submersed. A 512MB microSD (formerly known as TransFlash™) memory card is also available for purchase at select Virgin Mobile retailers, enabling Sonic-users to store up to 128 songs right on the phone.
"Virgin Mobile users are smart, savvy and all about being connected," said Howard Handler, Chief Marketing Officer of Virgin Mobile USA. "There are two things they don't leave home without - their mobile phone and their portable music players. With the Slider Sonic we've merged music and technology and packaged it in a sophisticated communications device." Sonic users will also have exclusive access to extreme sports, animated and Machinima content from Heavy.com, the number one broadband network for 18-34 year olds. Heavy.com programming available for download to the Slider Sonic includes the hit series "The Imperfects," a new animated series from Marvel and EA; "Pimp My Weapon"; "Behind the Music that Sucks"; and the prankster-sheik extreme sports show "Blisster."
Don't Forget to Accessorize
Slider Sonic users can take their gaming to the next level with the ergonomic K500 Gamepad designed by Kyocera Wireless. The gamepad's easy-to-use keys, comfy grip and portable size mean customers can carry it anywhere. Plus, it won't drain the phone's battery life because it's self-powered by three AAA batteries.
While the Slider Sonic comes out of the box ready to rock on a high-quality stereo headset with hands-free microphone, true audiophiles might opt for the available Kyocera Music Controller. This beauty adds full music controls to the cord and lets users ditch the included stereo ear-buds and plug in any high-end headphones with a standard 3.5mm jack.
A music dock for the Slider Sonic is also available for the music-lovers out there. The dock allows users to connect the phone to a stereo or PC and transfer music and video files over USB - all while recharging the battery. The Slider Sonic can be connected to any standard desktop speakers or headphones with a 3.5mm jack, allowing customers to listen to music in full stereo.
What Else Does this Beauty Offer?
The Slider Sonic is equipped with Virgin XL, a grab bag of mobile content goodies. Customers can instant message friends through the AIM® (AOL® Instant Messenger™), service, choose from a library of thousands of Superphonic (real-music) Ringtones, identify a song heard on the radio or in a club with Song ID or access exclusive content from *MTV. The perks don't end there though. Slider Sonic customers also have access to content courtesy of Comedy Central, so they can set up a Joke of the Day, download a "Crank Yankers" ringtone or test their South Park IQs with South Bark Brain Probe. Users can even personalize their phone by setting up a Rescue Ring to ditch a lame date or slide out of a sticky situation, download cutting-edge, full-color games, wallpapers and screensavers, or capture shameful and sentimental moments on the video recorder or camera functions.
The chic, compact black handset slides open with the push of a thumb, sports a high quality color display and weighs in at just over 3.8 oz. The Slider Sonic by Kyocera Wireless will be available in October at Virgin Mobile retail partners and retail for $249.99.
About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is the nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and first wireless carrier exclusively focused on the youth market. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless networks in the United States. In just two-and-one-half years, more than three million wireless users rejected long-term contracts and took control of their wireless spending with Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go service. Virgin Mobile customers have exclusive access to VirginXtras and VirginXL- a suite of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including *MTV mobile content created by our strategic partner MTV: Music Television. In addition, J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under its Certified Call Center Program.SM
Phones are available at more than 20,000 locations nationwide with Top-Up cards available at more than 60,000 locations nationwide. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobileusa.com or by calling 888-322-1122.
About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2005, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (JP¥ 1,180,655 million) with net income of approximately US$429 million (JP¥ 45,908 million).


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