Cricket may have introduced its first Muve Music-enabled Android smartphone just two weeks ago, but that doesn't mean that it'll be waiting around to make another Muve handset official. Today Cricket announced the ZTE Score, an Android 2.3 device that'll be launching at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores on September 25th for $129.99. The Score will also be available at Cricket stores "soon." Specs for the Score include a 3.5-inch HVGA, 600MHz processor, 3.2-megapixel camera, 3G/Wi-Fi, and Gingerbread.
As mentioned before, ZTE's new phone is also compatible with Cricket's Muve Music plan, which gives customers unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones along with unlimited voice, messaging, and data for $65 per month.
So that's the ZTE Score. It's good to see Cricket continue to build out it's Android/Muve Music device roster, and the Score could be a compelling device for anyone that's looking for something a tad cheaper than the previously-announced Samsung Vitality or for someone that's not big on the Vitality's red body (although I'm not quite sure what's not to like about a nice, bright red phone). The full press release is available for your perusal below.
Cricket Introduces ZTE Score Android™ Smartphone
~ First ZTE Smartphone Launched by Cricket ~
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP) and ZTE, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced the launch of the ZTE Score™, the seventh smartphone to be included in Cricket's dynamic line of phone offerings and the first ZTE smartphone to be launched by Cricket. Cricket is the first carrier to launch the ZTE Score, which will be available beginning Sunday, September 25 in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations across the United States and will soon be available through Cricket stores and dealers.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110922/LA73279)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101220/MM20546LOGO-b)
The ZTE Score is a full-featured Android smartphone providing speed and ease of use, making it particularly appealing for those customers looking to upgrade to a device with today's newest technologies. The phone is based on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) comes with 600 MHz of processing speed and features a 3.5" HVGA capacitive touch display, accelerometer and virtual qwerty keypad, 3.2MP camera/camcorder, WiFi capable, 3G real web browsing and XT9 Trace for easy text entry. The ZTE Score also includes the new and innovative Muve Music service, and it also offers access to more than 200,000 apps on the Android market, Google Maps and Navigator, Email, MyAccount, Cricket411, and much more. The smartphone will be available for $129.99 (MSRP).
With the Muve Music smartphone plan, Cricket Wireless customers will enjoy unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones, as well as unlimited text, picture, and video messaging, 3G mobile data, mobile video, data back-up, and 411 assistance.
Muve Music is the first unlimited music service to be included as part of a wireless rate plan and now has more than 200,000 customers. By applying its philosophy of unlimited services and value innovation, Cricket and Muve Music have given their customers a new music experience that ranks high in customer satisfaction.
"ZTE is pleased to work with Cricket to provide its customers with new devices that provide the best of today's technology at an accessible price point," said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA and President, North America Region, ZTE. "The ZTE Score, powered by Android and an ideal platform for Muve Music, is a prime example of a feature-rich, affordable smartphone that will help consumers enhance their mobile lifestyle."
About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving approximately 5.7 million customers. Cricket products are available nationwide. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket's nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.
About ZTE USA
ZTE USA is a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions. ZTE USA is dedicated to making quality communications technology accessible to all. The company draws on 25 years of experience and research investment to deliver smart, affordable, quality choices for infrastructure and mobile data device customers nationwide. For more information, visit www.zteusa.com.
About ZTE
ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while achieving continued revenue growth. ZTE's 2010 revenue led the industry with a 21% increase to USD10.609 billion. ZTE commits 10 percent of its revenue to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. A company with sound corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZTE is a member of the UN Global Compact. ZTE is China's only listed telecom manufacturer, publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
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