First pics of dual-network iDEN/CDMA handsets surface

by Evan Blass posted Apr 17th 2006 at 11:15AM

We have to admit that we're not big fans of the whole push-to-talk thing -- something about that annoying "chirp chirp" followed by both parties repeatedly querying "where you at?" -- so we were naturally a bit disappointed to learn that Sprint-Nextel will begin releasing dual-network phones that only incorporate iDEN functionality to feed people's nasty PTT habit. As we'd heard last month, Sprint-Nextel will start rolling out a series of these iDEN/CDMA with EV-DO Rev. A handsets near the end of the year, and now the first pictures of two models from Motorola have surfaced. Besides their ability to jump on iDEN for walkie-talkie action, nothing really stands out about these devices; they both incorporate the same function-over-fashion design that we've come to know, if not love, from the Nextel-Moto alliance. PCS Intel reports that these two unnamed handsets could go on sale as early as November, for an unknown price, with more feature-filled (read: multimedia-centric) models popping up in the second quarter of next year.

[Thanks, John R.]

Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Sprint, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: cdma, ev-do, iden, motorola, nextel, ptt, push-to-talk, rev. a, Rev.A, sprint, sprint-nextel, where you at, WhereYouAt

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

CHIRP STAR @ Apr 17th 2006 12:20PM

AWW HALL NEW, LOOK AT 'DEM DUAL-MODE CHIRP'RZ

I HOPE I CAN SLAP A BOOST SIM UP IN ONE O' DOSE AND CHIRP ALL MY NIGGAZ

YA NAMSAYIN'

Neutral

lakeoffire @ Apr 17th 2006 6:45PM

You my friend are a dumbass.

Stay in school.

Neutral

Brandon @ Apr 17th 2006 7:04PM

Sprint has its own chirp network, and Nextle has its own, Ive read that even these dual mode phones will not be able to chirp from one network to the other, is this right?

Neutral

Mike @ Apr 18th 2006 8:10PM

#3....yeah thats right. a Ready-Link(sprint PTT) phone can not chirp a Direct Connect(nextel PTT) phone.

which is why they had to incorporate both iDEN AND CDMA into the sets. they essentially would use nextels network for PTT, and sprints for essentially everything else.

I wouldnt rule out the phones having both ready-link AND direct connect....since its possible. but they cant work together, given that there technologies being way different.

Neutral

Kikoki @ Apr 23rd 2006 3:39PM

These cards will not be using SIM cards. And Sprint is dropping ready link for iDen's Direct Connect. So all of you RL users, you are being phased out.

In any case, there is another phone that surfaced at the same time as these from the same person that has been described as.. well.. the Nextel Razor (I think the model he gave was i890). It is thin, looks a lot like a Razor (a tad more rugged perhaps), entirely silver, and fairly nice looking.

So if you have been a longtime Nextel fan, and are tired of the big bulky phones, you now get some of that Moto style. Even though sprint has had the A900 Blade for quite a while now.

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