Cricket today announced that it's added another Muve Music-compatible handset to its lineup in the form of the ZTE Chorus. The Chorus is based on Android and features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 600MHz processor, 2-megapixel camera, and a 1,000mAh battery. As far as pricing goes, the Chorus has an MSRP of $119.99 but is available from Cricket's website right now for just $39.99. Cricket's Muve Music plan is priced at $55 per month.
The Chorus is a pretty basic-looking little handset, but its Muve Music support and current $40 price tag make it a tough device to ignore, especially for all of the music addicts out there. As usual, we've got the press release from Cricket ready and waiting for you down below.
UPDATE: It's worth pointing out that, although the Chorus is based on Android, it's actually just a feature phone running a heavily-modded version of the OS. The fact that it's not a full-fledged smartphone explains why it's compatible with Cricket's cheaper $55/month Muve Music plan as opposed to requiring the $65/month Android-specific plan.
Cricket Introduces ZTE Chorus™ with Muve Music
~ Premium Audio Features Enhance Muve Music Listening Experience
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 23, 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 availability of the ZTE Chorus™ featuring Cricket's Muve Music service.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111103/LA98784LOGO-c)
The ZTE Chorus is ideal for value-conscious consumers looking for a single device to simultaneously manage their mobile and music needs. The bar-style feature phone delivers high functionality with 3G web browsing capabilities and 600 megahertz of processing power while serving as an ideal platform for Cricket's innovative and unlimited Muve Music service. The ZTE Chorus incorporates SRS WOW HD technology for advanced audio playback quality and a dynamic 3D entertainment experience with a deep, rich bass and high-frequency clarity. Users can customize their sound preferences with SRS sound settings that complement popular music styles including acoustic, blues, hip hop, pop and rock.
The ZTE Chorus provides a robust multimedia experience with its vibrant 3.2-inch WQVGA TFT display with resistive touch screen, 2.0MP camera/camcorder, music and video players, stereo Bluetooth™, and speech recognition capabilities. XT9 Trace technology and a virtual keypad provide a convenient messaging experience with fast and easy text entry. In addition to Muve Music, the ZTE Chorus comes preloaded with Mobile Web, MyBackup, MyAccount, Cricket Storefront and three customizable idlescreens.
"We are excited to bring the ZTE Chorus to our line-up of Muve Music enabled phones," said Matt Stoiber, senior vice president, devices for Cricket. "With the enhanced audio features, it's like having your music library with you wherever you go. The quality music experience of Muve Music and the great value the ZTE Chorus offers offer an unbeatable combination for our customers."
"ZTE is again pleased to work with Cricket to bring consumers an affordable device with unique features that enhance the mobile experience," said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA and President, North America Region, ZTE. "The ZTE Chorus was designed to enrich users' interaction with their music without sacrificing the functionality of a well-built phone."
The ZTE Chorus, with an MSRP of $119.99, is available for as low as $39.99 for a limited time at www.mycricket.com, Cricket branded retail stores and dealers.
With the $55 per month Muve Music plan for the ZTE Chorus, 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 270,000 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.
For more information about Muve Music, visit www.muvemusic.com, and for Cricket's dynamic device lineup, visit www.mycricket.com. For the latest Cricket news and updates online, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving approximately 5.8 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 more than 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.
Via Phone Scoop, PCMag
