Dual-Screen YotaPhone Launches in Russia, Europe

[SKORPI0]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2427928,00.asp

Russian manufacturer Yota Devices today launched its two-sided, "always-on" smartphone, which is now on sale in Russia and select European markets.
The Android-based YotaPhone is now available online in Russia, Austria, France, Spain, and Germany for about $600-$700; it will reach a total of 20 markets in Russia, Europe, and the Middle East by early 2014, but the possibility of a U.S. release has not yet been announced.

The 4.3-inch smartphone sports a full-color 720-by-1,280 LCD screen on one side and an electronic paper display (EPD) on the other, allowing for various functions on one handset. Use the LCD side to watch videos and play games, then flip the phone over to read a book or magazine on the e-ink display.
"The typical user picks up and activates their smartphone more than 150 times a day," CEO Vlad Martynov said in a statement. "Why? Because users worry that messages or information they need or want are hidden behind their phone's black screen. This is a huge distraction and can impede meaningful interaction with our friends, families, and colleagues."

http://www.yugatech.com/mobile/yotaphone-dual-screen-smartphone-goes-on-sale/

YotaPhone, the Russian-made Android smartphone that packs a 4.3-inch LCD on the front and an e-ink display at the back, finally goes on sale in Russia and Europe.

We first wrote about the YotaPhone back in January when it made an appearance during CES. It sports a 4.3-inch 720 LCD screen (342ppi) on the front, a 4.3-inch (360 x 640) grayscale “Always-On” electronic paper display at the back, a 13 megapixel rear camera, and 32GB of internal storage. Powering the device is a 1.7Ghz dual-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 1,800mAh battery, and Android 4.2.2 Jellybean.

YotaPhone specs:
4.3″ 720 x 1280 LCD, 342ppi
4.3″ 360 x 640 EPD, 16 grayscale
Dual Core 1.7 GHz Krait
2GB RAM
32GB internal storage
13 megapixel AF rear camera w/ LED flash
1 megapixel front-facing
LTE, HSPA
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/A-GPS + Glonass
1,800mAh battery
Android 4.2.2 Jellybean
133.6 x 67 x 9.99mm
146g
Black and White

The YotaPhone will be sold online in Russia, Austria, France, Spain and Germany starting this month while the rest of the markets will follow in Q1 2014. It is priced at 19,990 RUB (around Php26,000) in Russia and 499 Euros (almost Php30,000) in other countries.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Jesus this is ridiculous. This and active notifications! All to get around the notification problem.

The answer is very simple: make a smartwatch that doesn't suck.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I feel like this is dancing down the line between genius and insanity. I haven't decided which side it fell on yet.

 

[theeedude]

What happened to Pixel Qi? On paper it seems like that would have been a better choice than two separate screens.

 

[Bman123]

This is stupid

 

[Oyeve]

If it had 5+inches of screen I could like this for reading, but 4.3 is just too small to be useful.