Sprint and Kyocera Sanyo Telecom today announced the upcoming arrival of SCP-2700 by SANYO, a messaging phone featuring a full QWERTY keyboard with threaded text messaging, 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Family Locator, Sprint Mobile Email Work, Social Zone application, and Bluetooth. SCP-2700 will be available beginning May 10 for just $29.99 with a new two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate.  The handset, which will be available in both Impulsive Pink, with a subtle floral overlay, and Deep Blue, has a tactile square designer pattern on its back.

“Mobile messaging has quickly become the de facto mode of communication for millions and, whether it’s for kids and grandparents or the seasoned texter, this phone has the ideal combination of usability, style and affordability,” said Andy Kodera, president of Kyocera SANYO Telecom. “Many associate messaging with teens or ‘tweens,’ but it’s become increasingly popular with all age segments. The SCP-2700 addresses a distinct need for a texting-focused QWERTY device at an entry-level price point.”

SCP-2700 by SANYO offers several family-friendly applications such as Sprint Family Locator, Social Zone and Sprint Navigation. Sprint Family Locator uses GPS technology to locate your child’s phone and displays the location on an interactive map. Social Zone, allows access to Photobucket, MySpace, FaceBook, YouTube and several other social networking sites from the handset. Users can easily post mobile photos and updates from virtually anywhere, anytime for $2.99 a month. Sprint Navigation provides full-feature GPS navigation, including voice and on-screen, turn-by-turn driving directions and more than 10 million business listings.