@ CTIA E&A: Leap taps Huawei for lower-priced Android device

SAN FRANCISCO – Leap Wireless International Inc. is set to add to its smart phone line up with a Google
Inc.’s Android-powered device from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. set to retail for $150 without a contract.
The Huawei Ascend will be available starting mid-October featuring a 3.5-inch HVGA touch-screen, Wi-Fi capability, 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, MP3 player and microSD slot, and a virtual QWERTY keyboard. The device will run the Android 2.1 operating system and require the carrier unlimited Android plan for $55 per month.
The carrier had previously launched the Kyocera/Sanyo Zio in August that runs the 1.6 version of the Android OS, though the carrier said it was working on plans to provide an upgrade path to the 2.1 version. The Zio currently is priced at $250.