PRO-200
Latest
Bell goes pro with Sanyo Pro 200 and 700
As we'd mentioned in mid-December, Bell's Sanyo PRO-200 and PRO-700 were close to launch and we're now hearing January 12th could be that day. Bell's pricing for the PRO-200 is looking like 3 years for $149, $199 on 2, and $349 if you want to get it off contract. Similar pricing for the PRO-700 with $199 for a 3-year stint, $249 for 2, and contract-free ownership will set you back $399. So there you have it, if rugged flips are your thing, now you know when you can get yourself lined up.[Via mobilesyrup]
Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 coming to Bell in January
We've seen no official confirmation or anything, but MobileSyrup has it that Sanyo's cutest couple ever (that'd be the Pro-200 and Pro-700, of course) are headed to Bell Canada in just under a month. The rugged handsets are both made to withstand the pressures of everyday life (and a few off-the-wall encounters with Alaska, poisonous snakes and playground swings), and outside of that, you'll also find Bluetooth, GPS, a speakerphone and 3G data connectivity. The Pro-200 will reportedly cost between $149.95 and $349.95 depending on contractual obligation, while the Pro-700 will go for $50 more across the board.
Sprint's Sanyo Pro-700 and Pro-200 QChat devices get fondled
Unmistakable, aren't they? Sure, it may have a new and fancy name, but QChat-enabled PTT devices aren't fooling anyone. Sprint's latest and greatest are both humming along on the EV-DO Rev. A network -- a must for QChat devices -- the Sanyo Pro-700 (on left) in a tough military fit and finish, and the Pro-200 a perfect fir for ma and pa. The gents at PhoneArena have had a quick mitts-on, so head on over if you're curious to get at a pile more pics of some pretty hot push-to-talk action.
Sprint announces QChat in 40 new markets, 4 new phones
If any of you feared you might never again be forced to listen to loud walkie-talkie conversations from iDEN handsets, start hating, as the service is growing, not shrinking. Sprint has announced the new QChat service is expanding into 40+ new markets and a small team of new handsets are arriving to herald the new service's launch. Markets like Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orlando are set to go for June 15th through all of Sprint's traditional retail channels. The LG LX400 boasts a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS, and noise reduction and can be had for $79.99 on a two-year deal. The Samsung Z400 is an ultra-rugged 810F military spec. affair with a sad 1.3 megapixel cam, Sprint Navigation, and Bluetooth, in a tough clamshell form factor for $99.00. Two Sanyo sets are also on the list, the $79.99 PRO-700 features a tough rubber housing, Bluetooth, plus Sprint Navigation, and the $49.99 PRO-200 which packs the same navigation features as the others, Bluetooth, and not much else. So with thanks to Qualcomm's QChat technology and Sprint's EV-DO network we'll be putting up with enjoying push to talk for the foreseeable future.[Via PhoneScoop]
Sprint's June launch calendar confirms QChat availability
So that rumored June 15 launch date for QChat in retail channels was pretty much spot on, it seems, according to the latest Brightpoint launch sheet for the month. The shot, posted on the always-chatty HoFo, reveals that Sanyo's PRO-200 and PRO-700 are expected for $249.99 and $279.99, respectively, while the Samsung Z400 comes in at $299.99 and the LG LX400 at $279.99. That's not a very wide range of price points for the initial round of QChat devices, a sign that Sprint's probably totally cool limiting interest in the service to business customers initially. Also due on the 15th is a fresh USB modem, the U680, which is being touted as "the only USB Modem that fits the design of the MacBook AIR [sic] without using USB connection cable." It's the Franklin CDU-680 in its generic form, and it's indeed pretty small as external data sticks go -- music to the ears of Air owners, we'd imagine.[Via PhoneNews]
Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 Direct Connect handsets get official
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]
QChat phones, others launching on Sprint mid-April?
Word on the street is that customers might be getting their first crack at Sprint's QChat wares rather soon -- April 16, to be exact. The news comes from phoneArena, which reports that the LG LX400 (pictured) will be launching alongside Sanyo's PRO-200 and PRO-700 on that fateful day, presumably along with the Direct Connect tech (and iDEN heir apparent) itself. The LG is rumored to be coming in at an SRP of $279.99, while the two Sanyos check in at $249.99 and $269.99, respectively. Also slated for April launches are the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in "titanium" along with Sanyo's Katana LX, a replacement for the Katana II that'll presumably keep its slim profile but carry over the forgettable VGA cam.
