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nextel direct connect posts

Motorola i856 Debut now available on Nextel

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 12th 2009 @ 11:12AM

Perhaps recognizing that the average Boost customer is more interested in the latest, greatest trendy handsets than the average Nextel customer (read: construction worker with a penchant for putting mil-spec certifications to the test), Sprint has launched a couple recent groundbreaking models -- the Clutch, Moto's first QWERTY iDEN device and the Debut, its first slider -- on Boost first before bringing them over to the big daddy. Don't fret, though, Nextel subscribers, because the i856 Debut is now available to you, bringing that crazy red / black color combo, integrated music player, and network-first slider form factor to a more grown-up audience. It's available now in all sales channels for $99.99 with a $50 rebate on contract.

Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 Direct Connect handsets get official

by Darren Murph posted Apr 3rd 2008 @ 2:52AM

Fresh out of the FCC's lair comes a new pair of QChat-enabled mobiles ready to launch on Sprint: Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700. Unsurprisingly getting official at CTIA, the pair of Nextel Direct Connect devices can handle all the hot PTT action you could ask for, and while the Pro-200 (shown above) checks in with Bluetooth, messaging capabilities and mobile e-mail, the beefier brother (pictured after the jump) touts a ruggedized shell "certified to military standards for dust, shock and vibration." Curiously, the duo is only expected to go on sale in "limited markets" this month, with availability popping up elsewhere in due time; those eager to get their chirp on can plan on dropping $49.99 / $69.99 on contract, respectively.

[Thanks, Colton]

Continue reading Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 Direct Connect handsets get official

Sprint to preserve Nextel Direct Connect branding for PTT

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 16th 2007 @ 10:57AM

Though Nextel may be long since assimilated as a company, parts of its branding look to live on thanks to an official announcement from Sprint today. As prior reports suggested, the carrier is reporting that push-to-talk services will continue to carry the treasured "Nextel Direct Connect" branding that has largely represented enterprise PTT service in the US for ages (14 years, to be exact). Furthermore, Nextel Direct Connect will be used "regardless of network platform," indicating that the name will be used even as Sprint works to transition the bulk of its PTT services from iDEN to CDMA. Speaking of CDMA, Sprint is using the same press release to tout a plethora of new Direct Connect devices in the pipe for 2008, spanning the range from "rugged phones that meet the rigors of military specifications to sleek new flip phones" -- and get this, they'll come from "Sprint's leading manufacturers," suggesting that Motorola is going to lose its stranglehold on the service. The more, the merrier, we say!

Sprint to effectively kill Nextel brand

by Brian White posted Jun 27th 2007 @ 7:28PM

In a seemingly inevitable move, Sprint has decided to drop the Nextel brand from its marketing messaging, corporate logo and just about everything else as of July 1st (but keeping Boost Mobile, yes?). Just a few days after AT&T intros the iPhone to waiting masses, Sprint's marketing will reinvent itself with a focus on data speeds (of all things) as the key differentiator for its network while at the same time, the Nextel branding will fade into oblivion. Sprint plans to keep it on life support, though, for customers still wanting to inquire about Direct Connect (walkie talkie) and other Nextel-specific services. Other than that, bye-bye Nextel. It was great knowin' ya.

[Via mocoNews]