ic502
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Motorola ic502 now available from Sprint-Nextel
We knew it would only be a matter of time before Sprint-Nextel got their act together and were going to release the ic502. The handwritting was on the wall from the FCC approval, to the eBay auction for the device pre-launch, and finally to the leaked launch documents stating November 5th. Well it is after November 5th and all, but we think that it's better late to the party then never. Sprint-Nextel has decided to (finally) launch the hybrid CDMA / iDEN phone, equipping it with a 65k color screen, A-GPS for directions and local searches, walkie talkie functionality via iDEN, and voice service compliments of Sprint's CDMA network to ease some of the heartache of network capacity.[Via PhoneArena]
Sprint-Nextel to launch first hybrid on November 5?
The concept of CDMA / iDEN hybrid phones has been kicking around pretty much since day one of the Sprint-Nextel merger, and we caught wind of a hybrid handset, the ic502, months ago; the only thing left to do, it seems, is actually launch the darned thing. The wait might be nearly over: a web page over yonder at sprintpcs.com makes mention of a November 5 hybrid launch in "select markets," though said page does not make mention of what those markets are or what phone(s) will be launched. As a refresher, the CDMA / iDEN dual-mode setup will make use of iDEN for PTT and CDMA for traditional calling (though we suspect there will be allowances for falling back from one to the other should only one service be available), taking some of the pressure off the overstressed iDEN network.[Thanks, Seth Z.]
Unreleased Motorola ic502 iDEN / CDMA hybrid hits eBay
It may have just breezed through the FCC a few short months ago, but Motorola's yet-to-be-released ic502 iDEN / CDMA hybrid phone has already found its way to eBay -- although if the bidding activity is any indication, it doesn't look like Motorola will have much trouble meeting the demand for it. One bid was all it took to snag the hybrid handset, with the winning bidder throwing down an even $300 for the bragging rights. The lack of EVDO, not to mention Bluetooth or a camera, no doubt helped to dampen the anticipation among early adopters a bit, but if you're in desperate need of some hybrid action, the ic502's the only game in town.[Thanks, Sloop John B]
FCC lets ic502 out of the bag, first iDEN / CDMA phone
Nextelites saving your pennies for the i880, hold up just a minute. Deets are emerging on the ic502, and while it's not the highest-end phone around, you could be the first kid on your block packin' hybrid iDEN / CDMA heat. As usual, the FCC has done the honors, releasing the user's manual where we see that the ruggedized flip will support CDMA on the 1900 band only, iDEN on 800, and old-skool walkie-talkie on ISM 900; handoff between networks is not supported. Otherwise, not much to talk about -- no Bluetooth, no camera. On second thought, that i880 is looking pretty sweet, ain't it?[Via phoneArena]
