Sprint's New Dual-Screen Smartphone

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Sprint has announced the Kyocera Echo, a new Android smartphone with two 3.5-inch touchscreens. You can use it as a regular smartphone in single screen mode or slide out the first screen to reveal a second one. The screens, which are connected by a hinge, can act independently, allowing you to run two apps concurrently. For instance, you could watch a video on one screen and check your e-mail on another. In tablet mode, you can turn the screens into one 4.7-inch display.

The phone, which has a 5-megapixel camera, weighs in at 6.8 ounces, two ounces more than the iPhone 4. It comes pre-loaded with several apps, including VueQue, which lets you watch a YouTube video in one display, while browsing, queuing and buffering additional YouTube videos on the other. The phone also comes with a spare battery, which could indicate that battery life is on the short side.

Do you really need a phone with two screens? It could make sense for business travelers who want to multi-task without pulling out their laptop at the airport. Another plus for travelers: For an additional fee, you can turn the phone into a wireless 3G hotspot for up to five other devices, so you won't have to worry about hotel WiFi access. The phone will be available this spring for $199.99, after a $100 mail-in rebate, and with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. 

The Goods is focused exclusively on products and services for business owners. We won't ignore the latest netbook or the hottest smartphone, but we'll also examine the services, software, and Web-based tools that can help make your business succeed. Nadine Heintz, a senior editor at Inc., edits The Goods, as well as Quick Hits. Send suggestions, comments, and deals to nheintz@inc.com.