Yota Phone 2

Today, the Russian company Yota Devices is officially launching the YotaPhone2. If you have never heard of the YotaPhone, it is easily one of the most interesting, most inventive smartphones out there. In a nutshell, the YotaPhone is a two-sided device, featuring a standard full HD 1920×1080 screen on one side, and a 960×540 16-level gray scale always-on e-ink screen on the other side. Here is a quick rundown of the new YotaPhone2:

With the first generation YotaPhone, notifications and other important information appear automatically on YotaPhone’s always-on display.  The next generation YotaPhone allows users to open and respond to these notifications, with just one touch, without having to wake up and activate the color display.  Users can immediately respond to mails and SMSs, accept and decline meeting invites and post to social media…With two displays, users can choose how best to use their smartphone.  They can watch videos, play games, view photos and browse the internet on a bigger, brighter and more brilliant 5.0” AMOLED display.  On the energy-saving 4.7” EPD, they can open and respond to real-time notifications, read books and newspapers, keep track of meetings and post comments to social media. 1

yota phone

The device is set for launch at 6pm GMT – 1pm EST – at the company’s new flagship store in London. The device is available in a number of European and Asian countries, but the company has yet to announce any plans to come to the U.S. However, on Yota Device’s About Us page they have all of their locations listed. They list New York as coming soon:

Yota

Here is a good look at the YotaPhone2:

  1. Yota Devices, “Next Generation YotaPhone Unveiled at MWC,” 24 Feb. 2014. first release listed (.docx file)