The Motorola i605, Nextel's first cellphone with Bluetooth

You'd think that Nextel would have been all over Bluetooth for years now, given that so many of their customers are business types who'd be the people most likely to dig being able to sync their phone with their computer or use a Bluetooth wireless headset, but somehow they never got around to releasing a handset with Bluetooth until today. It's probably not the sweetness you've been craving, at least if you've been looking for a new cellphone that looks like it was designed this century, but the Motorola i605 also has GPS and a 176 x 220 pixel LCD screen in addition to being Bluetooth-enabled. Retails for $299.99 with new service agreement.

UPDATE: Someone pointed out that Nextel carries the BlackBerry 7520, which also has Bluetooth. Whether the 7520 is a cellphone or not is a really matter of nomenclature.

[dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

they have had bluetooth on the blackberrys for a while.

[Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

300 for that? i think im missing something...why wouldnt you buy a blackberry if these are the features youre looking for?

[gorkon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

The Blackberry on Nextel IS a cell too. It even has direct connect.

[Jason Stewart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

I was about to mention that the Nextel BlackBerry 7250 has Bluetooth. My job just got me one. However, they HEAVILY crippled its functionality...I think it only allows the headset profile. I heard that since the 7250 is geared for corporate use, they thought it wise to only allow the headset profile, out of security concerns.

[Peter Rojas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

You're missing my point. Of course it can be used to make phone calls, but some people describe the 7520 as more of a smartphone than a cellphone. Like I said, it's an issue of nomenclature.

[Jon Norman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

I think it is ridiculous how slowly Nextel jumps onto new technology.

it took them forever to release the i860 (a phone with a digital camera) when even those crappy Virgin mobile phones had cameras.

I would have waited for the Nextel I930 but even that won't have Bluetooth.

I think the reason Nextel is always so slow to get new technology onto the market is because they have a loyal fanbase of business users and stupid High School kids who are willing to waist ridiculous amounts of money on Nextel SH*TTY models and then upgrade when the new one comes out for even more money.

[Beej @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

"I think it is ridiculous how slowly Nextel jumps onto new technology.
it took them forever to release the i860 (a phone with a digital camera) when even those crappy Virgin mobile phones had cameras.
I think the reason Nextel is always so slow to get new technology onto the market is because they have a loyal fanbase of business users and stupid High School kids who are willing to waist ridiculous amounts of money on Nextel SH*TTY models and then upgrade when the new one comes out for even more money."

You spelled "waste" wrong...and consider that Nextel is all about productivity. The LEAST productive thing to add to a phone would be a camera. Great, just what we need. A fuggin' CAMERA on a business phone. Oh, and I'm one of those "stupid High School kids who are willing to waist ridiculous amounts of money on Nextel SH*TTY models and then upgrade when the new one comes out for even more money," considering that I got my Blackberry 7520 for...uh...TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. So...consider this, Jon. When a company geared towards direct connect walkie talkies and business productivity (inventory tracking, card scanning, GPS functionality) then they mean business. They don't NEED crappy ass camera phones because that's not what the customer base (or as you call them, high school fanboys and business users) wants. So here's a website for people like you, Jon. Jamster! http://www.jamster.com. I think they have that new Blingy 5000 ringtone you wanted. Only $32.00 a month...

[ZATZAi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Well put Beej, very true.

[IE @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

@ Beej
Nextel is still crap. Having a camera on a phone doesn't mean you have to use it. I wouldn't call crippled bluetooth a productive feature or does it help business productivity?

[Sam K @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

It's the Blackberry 7520 for Nextel which has Bluetooth not the 7250. The 7250 is for Verizon. Here's the 7520 on PhoneScoop.com.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=652

[Jason Stewart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Thanx, after Beej's post I realized I meant 7520!

Ooops, my bad! :)

[Beej @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

@ IE

In every metro I've travelled, and even my dinky town of 120,000, I still manage to get signal of -70 to -98 dbm INSIDE buildings. Plus, we have location-based services and the whole PTT thing we've got going on. Oh, and about the camera phone...all the other providers seem to force them on you, without giving half a rat's ass about about the service. Hmm...Nextel's camera phone is about $100 more than the same phone with a slightly smaller screen and no camera. So...you're right. You don't have to use the camera, and you can save, too! w00t w00t! The bluetooth on the BB is made for things like headsets, as #3 said. It's a security feature.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Camera Phone, mp3 player, games? You can keep all of that junk. The one thing nextel has that no other phone does is a fully functional GPS receiver that can be attached to a laptop or pda for mapping, tracking and GIS.

There is a reason nextel sells so well with businesses and not lil kids who want to talk about who's cute in homeroom and show pics of their butts to everyone.

[Cisco Kid @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

The novelty of the PTT function wore off. I'm not a construction worker or work in the search and rescue sector nor am I a up and coming rap star. Give me a small stylish phone (Razor maybe) and a decent plan. Any opinions on a switch to Cingular. Customer service?

[kyle fiducia @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

To be honest i dont think there really is a perfect service out there, and as far as nextel taking forever to jump on new tech I agree to a point, but then again, i respect what they are doing.

For one, they also pioneer new technology. do any other wireless telephone providers offer a service/phone that is usable when all the local towers are down? in an area devestated by a disaster (like florida last year) nextels were the only ones to keep working with no infrastructure. yes, that is a big step in my opinion.

and as far as new technology, it is just that, and not always flawless. for most nextel users, a buggy phone pushed out early just to be on the cutting edge of technology would be a pain. i have owned 2 nextel phones in 8 years - each one has been a very good, reliable phone.

i do admit some service problems, last time my phone was on the fritz due to nextel updates, i called, complained and got my monthly service fee refunded.

but yes, bluetooth is long overdue, with a data plan too please. ( and put it in the i830 or similar size/form factor)

[Finishing.Law.School @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Nextel sucks!!!!!!!

[DK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

wow, the nextel apologists come out at night, don't they? sounds like we've got a few nextel employees in disguise.

[brian d @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Nextel is geared to the corporate market. Their models' lack of a camera is actually a feature for alot of us in the business world. In most of the facilities I go into on a regular basis, cameras are banned. It would be really counterproductive to have to check your work phone at the door every time you walk into a lab.

My only gripe with Nextel is the high cost of text messages, but that really isn't much of an issue. I'd guess most of us with Nextel phones aren't the ones paying the bill.

[VASpider @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Any opinions on a switch to Cingular. Customer service?

--CiscoKid, as a former Cingular employee, I can tell you that a large chunk of the people who I worked with at that company have fled since the merger since the customer service went into the toilet. I am one of them. Apparently they are finally starting to pull their heads out of their backsides again, but their customer service is atrocious.

[Cisco Kid @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

@#19 VASpider Thanks for the warning I had a feeling that that might be the case. I know Nextel is geared more towards the business client so the stakes are higher when a client threatens to discontinue his service because it's not just a single phone line, but maybe a whole account that may have 100 or more active lines.

[Toby Edmondson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

While I enjoy everyone's opinions regarding the relative merits of Nextel's marketing strategy, what I really want to know is what is the best wireless headset for the i605 for voice dial and direct connect?

[Mark Plisch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

As voice services administrator for large company, I can tell you that Nextel customer service is one of the worst have dealt with, and I deal with almost every carrier (cell and landline). Have found that I get quicker response from Cingular and the overall cost for service is lot less. Nextel is very proud of there equipment and there press to talk.