Cingular goes live with push-to-talk

So Cingular is finally rolling out their push-to-talk service, after a slight delay. Interestingly they're only offering one phone, the LG F7200, but Samsung's D357 is on the way, so don't go moping about. The service interface looks inviting, with an IM style buddy list and fairly easy to use group calling, plus you can easily switch over to cellular mode and spare everyone the agony of an overheard PTT conversation. It's still $9.99 when added onto a nation plan, and $19.99 for setting up your family talk plan with the service, other than that it's just your average PTT service, minus a lame catch phrase.

[Thanks, Jim and Robbie]

[Louis @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Currently Cingular's in the soft launch phase (advertising and what-not will show up in early 2006). The service has actually been live for over a week now, but Cingular just okayed it officially on Wednesday.

Also, the LG F7200 is BOGO right now. The Samsung (which has Bluetooth) has been recalled until they straighten some things out. There should be several more phones when the advertising starts next year.

[davel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Could someone please post the required settings to make this service work? I have Nokia's PTT application on my 6620 and I'd like to see if I can't use this phone instead of the LG. It's asking for things like Domain, Access Point Name, Server Address, User Name, PTT Password, and Realm.
Thanks!

I got the PTT application here:
http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,42291,00.html

[Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I myself have never seen much point in PTT with having free M2M but I guess it comes in handy on a few occasions. Can't say it's worth paying extra for. Business users may very well eat it up.

[lpret @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but what is the advantage of PPT over cell conversations? I think the idea of a buddylist-esque contact list is nice, but couldn't something like that be adapted to regular cell usage? Speaker-phone-esque stuff is available on regular cells too. I just struggle to see what the benefits are.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Sweet, I have a 6620 as well, so yeah, if anyone knows if you can use this with the software davel linked too, please be sure to comment.

[cidion @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Kevin,

For me using nextel, it's cheaper to talk to people that way, (something free m2m would help with) much much quicker. a comparison: it's like asking someone a question as you walk past them in the hall, compared to walking to their office, waiting for them to invite you in for a seat, saying "hi, good bye, please and thank you."

Also In places where reception is iffy, my Direct Connect works much better than a regular call.

But it's not for everybody. I think it should be required for everyone who has one to go through a little training on how to put their phone into "private" so everybody can't hear their conversation.

I guess they let the same people drive.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

PTT is the best idea cellular providers have ever come up with (for them, at least). It's genius! You get users to pay an extra fee for a service that actually saves the provider money. That's right, PTT SAVES them money. It's only half-duplex, so it uses half the bandwidth of a regular cell call and lets them support more users.

Of course, why someone would be willing to pay more for such a "feature" is beyond me.

[DCFC Fan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

#6 Cidion - Thanks for shedding some light on this. I, too, don't get the allure of push to talk. Now, I admit I have never used a nextel, but have always equivilated ith a walkie talkie. I know it's an "instant on" type of thing, but I've been around enough nextel users at work that they still have to beep them, then wait 30 seconds for the user to get the phone and answer, so I don't see it as being an "instant on" type of thing.

I do agree that why I'm probably so anti nextel is just as you said -- annoying people in restaurants, stores, waiting rooms. BEEPBEEP! "Yeah, what's crackin' girl? Nuthin', what are you doing? Nuthin, just chillin'

There is some sort of private feature? I'm guessing it's the one where you actually put the damn thing to your ear like a normal phone.

Thanks for the "other" point of view though. Maybe if I used it, I would understand the draw better. After all, here is another roll out of the service, so they must know more than me about the demand for it.

[DCFC Fan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Aw, thanks, #7. That's the piece of the puzzle I was missing. I mentioned the providers must recognize a consumer demand for it that I don't see, otherwise why would they bother?

To save money/make money. I didn't think about it from the half duplex stance. I know it's all on their network so it's cheaper for them, but it makes a little more sense why they would push it now.

Can anyone answer this -- Is the PTT service carrier specific? Can Sprint/Nextel PTT with Cingular, etc?

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Hey to everyone on the new Cingular PTT, I am a agent for Cingular and myself can't see the gain for customers. Why pay more for PTT when M2M is free anyway. To answer DCFC Fan's question, Yes, PTT is carrier specific, you must be on Cingular's network or Nextel's network to use it and you can use it to contact a party on a different network. Personally, I don't get it. For folks on certain job sites it may be ok but for the average user, it a waste of time and would be rude to others within hearing distance. That's my take. I don't see our store making much fuss over PTT.

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Just reading over my post, and had a typo, I was saying that you can not use the PTT on different networks. In other words, you must all have the same network to use it. i.e. Cingular, Nextel etc...

[paul34 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Ok, just to clear this up for everyone, if you have "PTT" applications on your phones already it will NOT work Cingular PTT. Downloaded PTT applications use PTT over GPRS, which Cingular does *not* use.

Rather you must have the Kodiak PTT software supported in your phone, which is not available for download, you just have to have a phone that supports it (which for the time being are these two phones who I hope only a 12 year old would buy!). Try to convince manufacturers to make professional-looking PTT phones and the Nextel users will come, they will come.

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I despise PTT. All it does is promote the "ghetto fabulous" lifestyle at the expense of public manners. I don't want to hear "where you at?" when I am eating at a public place.

The mobile phone carriers should limit PTT to business users, and that's it. Of course, I am of the opinion that Sprint should be closed down anyway because all it does is give mobile phone access to drug pushers and pimps who would fail the credit checks of any other mobile phone carrier in the States.

[THNTQ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

"I despise PTT. All it does is promote the "ghetto fabulous" lifestyle at the expense of public manners. I don't want to hear "where you at?" when I am eating at a public place.

The mobile phone carriers should limit PTT to business users, and that's it. Of course, I am of the opinion that Sprint should be closed down anyway because all it does is give mobile phone access to drug pushers and pimps who would fail the credit checks of any other mobile phone carrier in the States."

^ That has to be one of the most ignorant things anyone has ever said.

[HD @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

14. No kidding. Cingular and Tmobile have pay as you go plans that don't require credit checks.

[Bob James @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

PTT = a 2 min conversation turned into 30 mins. More money for Cingular.

Plus, girls should only be allowed to have PTT, cause they don't shut up when they talk to each other. Maybe this would limit them. Guys conversations are PTT even when they call each other.

[Wry Cooter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Where You At? Guess What Honey? I'm down with the PTT-- now total strangers can listen to both sides of our useless blather.

Can I hook this bling into my subwoofers?

[Jason Hazel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

i like my direct connect with nextel, but i don't carry conversations with it, that's what a phone call is for. but to get something across real quick it's nice.

friday was trash day and it was my turn to take it out, my sister leave (we have a place together) and as she's pulling out she beeps me with "trash day." that's it, coversation over, message gotten across.

another example: i have a friend that stops by my work every night after he gets off. since he clocks out at different hours each night, once he's off he beeps me with "i'm on my way." period, done.

these are the sort of situations that make PTT worthwhile, but only if it's included in your plan, like with nextel. you don't pay extra for it.

[wheelsee @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

The PTT with cingular is pretty cool...the Samsung is definately the better phone out of the two with the ability to have a PTT convo via Bluetooth...we have been using it for the better part of a month here and the groups(both preset and quick groups) function makes it easy to communicate with a whole group instantly(i.e. I'm meeting a group of friends, I can select their names from the list and beep them all at once just to say I'm gonna be late)

-wC

[Paolo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

GF and I just bought two new LG with Push to talk cells for Cingular tonight and they are awesome. The PTT is better then NEXTELS because of all the cool features you can do with it that nextel you cant. The PTT connect time is fast as well. I definitely recommend the service as well as the phones!!!! Great service for the money!!

[Ant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I agree with #.20 cingular ptt is way better than nextels, and plus you can tell if the person is available before you ptt them.

I don't have a cingular Ptt, but I used one and it's cool and more up 2 date than a regular phone call.

With cingular you can covert from a PTT to a normal phone call if the conversation gets 2 long. So Cingular PTT is way better.

P.S. Everyone don't have 2 hear your conversation you can turn the ptt volume down or just alert through the phone not the PTT.

If your a nextel/verizon/t-mobil/ or sprint customer, you should come join the Cingular family. Cingular service is raising the bar, their service is better than all of the ABOVE cellular companies.T-mobil service is wack no dought.

[net @ Dec 21st 2005 10:11PM]

can anyone give me the unlock code for cingular or sony ericsson w600i. help please.

[viper3431 @ Dec 21st 2005 10:52PM]

Personally, I have a cingular phone for personal use and a Nextel for work. I'm a net admin for a public school district and I can say without a doubt that PTT is the way to go in business. The nextel is the easiest way to cut a 2 minute call/conversation into a 30 second Q&A. As far as the phones are concerned, EVERY model has the ability to disable the speaker by the push of a button and most models can be set to vibrate instead of beeping for incoming PTT. This obviously works well in a meeting or in public. Typically I set mine to vibe and i get beeped - I know it but nobody else does and I leave my speaker off so if they blurt something out nobody hears it. The majority of PTT users are just plain rude and think its cool to have their friends yelling at them in public. As far as the nextel SERVICE is concerned, coverage blows here so we'll be switching to Cingular PTT in the spring. I can't wait to have a PTT provider that works everywhere here instead of the "turn around and drop signal" nextel coverage - yes it's really that bad here (in MO).