Sprint launches push-to-talk BlackBerry Curve 8350i

by Darren Murph posted Dec 15th 2008 at 9:45AM

Verizon may have been bangin' on Sprint's iDEN network, but that's not stopping the yellow-faced carrier from introducing the "first ever" (wait, really?) push-to-talk BlackBerry on those very waves. Sprint is hailing the Curve 8350i as the "most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever," and given the options in the past, it's hard to disagree. Thankfully, there's also integrated WiFi / GPS as well as support for Group Connect, international direct connect and Talkgroup; you'll also spot a 2-megapixel camera, multimedia player, speakerphone, video recorder, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, a stereo headset jack and a removable 1,400mAh battery. It's available now in a rather stocky 4.4- x 2.4- x 0.7-inch frame for as low as $149.99 (after all applicable rebates) on a two-year plan.

Gallery: Sprint launches BlackBerry Curve 8350i: first push-to-talk BlackBerry

Tags: 8350i, blackberry, blackberry curve, BlackberryCurve, curve, curve 8350i, Curve8350i, iDEN, PTT, push to talk, push-to-talk, PushToTalk, RIM, sprint, Sprint Nextel, SprintNextel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

kellybrf @ Dec 15th 2008 9:54AM

definitely not the first ptt blackberry by a looooong shot

Neutral

codeyh82 @ Dec 15th 2008 9:56AM

Well played, they've had PTT Blackberry before on the Nextel network.

Neutral

Brandon @ Dec 15th 2008 9:56AM

ordered mine at 800 this morning and the status is BACKORDERED WTF ? it just come out this morning how can it already be on backorder

Neutral

handlehooks @ Dec 15th 2008 10:13AM

Dealers have had the ability to order these from the warehouse since Friday in backorder status. Which means all of those orders were filled first. I ordered 2 of them on Friday for my customers and got shipping notifications by Saturday morning so they will receive them today.

Neutral

K @ Dec 15th 2008 9:55AM

The author must be new technology reporting, or a teenager, as this is certainly not the first blackberry push-to-talk smartphone "ever". Nextel has had them before, and still does. They are very dated, but they do exist.

Neutral

anthony @ Dec 15th 2008 10:12AM

ummmm.... BB 7510, BB7520, BB7100.... Also, it back ordered because alot of the Government uses Nextel, so that probably took up all the stock. And really, I would of place my order through a store weeks ago, alot of people have been waiting 3 years ++++ to get a new styled BB but got stuck with that crappy BB7100.

Neutral

Eric Buckner @ Dec 15th 2008 11:25AM

Yawwwwwn.

Neutral

Kevin @ Dec 15th 2008 12:30PM

First push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone with built-in Wi-Fi and Group Connect demonstrates Sprint's firm commitment to the Nextel National Network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & WATERLOO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2008--Responding to the requests of Nextel Direct Connect customers, Sprint (NYSE: S) today launched the BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8350i smartphone. Developed by Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM), the new BlackBerry Curve 8350i is the most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever.

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone utilizes iDEN technology on the Nextel National Network. It offers Nextel Direct Connect, the only national push-to-talk service in the industry to offer sub-second call set up to the world's largest push-to-talk community with millions of users.

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is the first push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone to offer:

-- Built-in Wi-Fi(R) support, allowing customers to browse the Internet and
download email attachments quickly and easily wherever they have Wi-Fi
access, and they can also send and receive emails or browse the Internet
while talking on the phone.
-- Group Connect, enabling customers to instantly set up group
conversations with up to 20 participants.

Additionally, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone supports:

-- Integrated business solutions, including a large selection of
GPS-enabled solutions and access to thousands of other third-party
mobile applications for jobs such as dispatch operations and fleet and
workforce management.
-- International Direct Connect, whichenables instant connections between
the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
-- Talkgroup, which connects groups of up to 200 people at once within the
same local market and in the same fleet.

"Because of its unique combination of push-to-talk capabilities and several other advanced features, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is likely to appeal to both individual consumers and business customers," said David Chamberlain, principal analyst with analyst firm In-Stat. "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone can also address the needs of several industries such as construction, field services, transportation and manufacturing."

"The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is the most recent example of our solid commitment to iDEN technology and our Nextel Direct Connect customers," said Danny Bowman, president of Nextel Direct Connect. "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is designed for customers who require instant convenient push-to-talk services to communicate with friends and family as well as with employees, customers and suppliers. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is a premium smartphone that strikes a perfect balance between performance and usability."

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is slim with a sleek black exterior, a full QWERTY keyboard, a convenient trackball with intuitive navigation and an internal antenna for a smooth, clean design. Other key features include:

-- BlackBerry Device Software v4.6 for a simple and easy user experience
with an updated interface, new shortcuts, an enhanced HTML web browser,
support for free/busy calendar lookups and more.
-- BlackBerry "push" email for easy and efficient delivery of corporate and
personal email.
-- Robust messaging capabilities with support for popular instant
messaging, multimedia messaging (MMS) and text messaging services.
-- Integrated GPS for step-by-step directions, navigation and local search
as well as support for other location-based applications and services.
-- Advanced media player for listening to music, watching videos and
viewing pictures.
-- 2 megapixel digital camera with digital zoom, flash and video
recording*.
-- DataViz(R)Documents To Go(R)preinstalled for editing Microsoft(R) Word,
Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the smartphone.
-- Speakerphonethat provides exceptional sound quality.
-- Expandable memory of up to 16GB through its microSD/SDHC memory card
slot, providing plenty of storage for pictures, videos, music and
documents.
-- Bluetooth(R)2.0 support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits,
stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals.
-- Support for thousands of applications, including business, lifestyle and
entertainment titles.
-- Stereo headset jack for calls, push-to-talk conversations, music and
other audio.
-- Removable/rechargeable 1400 mAH battery.

"The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is ideal for customers who want the benefit of the popular Nextel Direct Connect service together with the power of the BlackBerry platform," said Mark Guibert, vice president of corporate marketing at RIM. "We think Nextel Direct Connect customers will be very pleased with its range of new features and stylish design, and we are very excited to be launching the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone today with Sprint."

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is available beginning today at www.sprint.com or 1-800-SPRINT-1 or from a Sprint business sales representative. It is available for as low as $149.99 with a two-year service agreement, an $80 instant savings credit and a $100 mail-in rebate. On January 11, it will be available in Sprint retail stores nationwide.

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone measures 4.4" x 2.4" x .7" and weighs 4.7 ounces. For more information about the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone, visit: www.sprint.com. For more information about Nextel Direct Connect, visit www.sprint.com/nextel.

* Video recording requires a microSD card, sold separately.

Neutral

Kevin @ Dec 15th 2008 12:31PM

"First Ever" with WiFi and Group Connect

Neutral

will54880 @ Dec 15th 2008 1:25PM

Hey, they can have the Storm too. Then you would have a push to talk device with a push to click interface!!!

Neutral

anthony @ Dec 15th 2008 3:33PM

just got the backordered BB8350i in our location earlier. Looks and responds really nice. The software update (v4.6) looks really nice on this phone. Alot of happy customers.

P.S Kevin, the phone comes with a 1GB memory card in it already.

Neutral

Thomas @ Dec 15th 2008 10:02PM

To Brandon,
I feel your pain. I ordered mine at 12:26am, yes....26 minutes from launch and mine is backordered. I don't think the pre-order thing is fair. All 3 Nextel stores I went to would not preorder. Giving it til Friday then canceling order, killing my account, and getting a Blackberry Storm.

Neutral

Mike @ Dec 16th 2008 9:45AM

This is BS..They push back the release date by months at a time and when i do get to order it they are put on Backorder? They new customer demand would be high,, why not prepare.

Neutral

mxgoldman89 @ Dec 16th 2008 9:51PM

I like the color scheme. If only that awful Nextel branding were gone and I could get it on AT&T...

Neutral

Jared @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:38PM

Hey there. Purchased mine from sprint over the phone and had it in a day. I've had all kinds of phones and this truly may be the best phone/pda I've had yet. Switched off of the iphone/att as my monthly bill was just under $160 per month. This nextel blackberry is a great/powerful phone. It's a home run and also costs me only $99/month. The only thing better would be the same phone w/ voice on sprint w/ a ptt on nextel. Great job Sprint! These are the phones that will ensure your great future!