iDEN
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Nextel's new BlackBerry: the Curve 8350?
Rumors persist that RIM has another BlackBerry planned for Nextel's iDEN network -- a network that's aging rapidly, no question, but it still has gobs of relevance in the business world where RIM just happens to keep its bread and butter. Last we'd heard there would be a WiFi-compatible Nextel BlackBerry by the end of the year, and it looks like that window is still basically on track -- though it may slip to early 2009 -- and when it does finally launch, it'll take the form of a Curve with model number 8350. Don't get us wrong, the Curve is a great device by 2007 and early 2008 standards, but if it really does launch early next year, it'll be staring down the barrel of at least one entirely new stablemate, the Bold, and possibly several others as well. 'Course, there are probably plenty of faithful push-to-talkers out there that are thankful just to have any reasonably recent BlackBerry in the pipeline, so three cheers for that, we suppose.
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]
Motorola i335 goes live on Boost Mobile
Sprint subsidiary Boost Mobile's claim to fame is its push-to-talk network, and it's still turning the other cheek on its parent's newly-minted QChat PTT in favor of good, old-fashioned, dead reliable iDEN. The rough and tumble i335 -- which actually went on sale through Sprint some time ago -- is now available through Boost for $59.99 on prepaid service, offering mil-spec dust, shock, and splash resistance that should pretty much keep this thing operating for as long as the iDEN network does. Grab it now anywhere Boost is sold, if you're so inclined.
Motorola i890 CABO in the wild!
Wow, iDEN's looking less and less like a technology on the decline every time it's in the news. First we have Dan Hesse himself saying that Nextel's network is staying put, and now we've got live shots of the rumored CABO from Motorola, a phone that'll presumably be a part of that 2008 iDEN product barrage promised last month. We're hearing that CABO is merely a codename; by the time it hits retail it'll likely be called the i890, and will make pretty much every RAZR 2 in town jealous of its second-to-none PTT capabilities. One thing's for sure: this definitely ain't your grandpappy's iDEN phone. More news on this one as we get it!%Gallery-23701%
Motorola iDEN software updates vanish into thin air
Alright, let's start firing up the conspiracy theory engines, shall we? Motorola's iDEN Software Upgrades site -- one of the first around to offer handset firmware upgrades directly to customers -- has been mysteriously pulled down with nary a clue as to the reason or when they might be back up. All we know is that they're "currently unavailable" and that we should check back at a "later time." We imagine new firmware builds for these rugged warriors aren't exactly the hottest thing going to begin with (and let's be honest, what percentage of iDEN users even knew this site existed to begin with?) but let's hope Moto has a plan to bring these back out nonetheless.[Via Unwired View and PhoneNews]
Telus launches Motorola's Mike i877 flip phone
Just days after Telus picked up the attractive LG Venus, the carrier has officially started offering up the Motorola Mike i877. The half-rugged, half-sleek looking flip phone was designed by Pininfarina and features integrated Bluetooth, a multimedia player (MP3, AAC, WMA), microSD expansion slot, miniUSB port, 1.3-megapixel camera, VibraCall, a digital voice recorder and the obligatory push-to-talk support. If it floats your boat, you can snag it now sans contract for $349.99, or anywhere between $149.99 to $299.99 if you're cool with signing the dotted line for varying lengths of time.[Via MobileInCanada]
Nextel getting a WiFi iDEN BlackBerry this year
After some serious neglect, Sprint is finally giving the Nextel iDEN network some new devices, not the least of which is a WiFi BlackBerry, says Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. The phone will hit the network "later this year," and will be accompanied by phones from Sanyo, Samsung, Motorola and LG that will rock the Sprint CDMA, but will use Nextel capabilities for push-to-talk. That old 7100i (pictured) doesn't stand a chance. [Via Boy Genius]
Sprint says it's still committed to iDEN
As we mentioned yesterday, Sprint has gone on record saying that it's going to continue to stand behind its legacy iDEN infrastructure, the massive PTT network inherited from its Nextel acquisition and marketed under the Nextel Direct Connect brand. We can understand that there are thousands of companies and millions of individuals that rely on Direct Connect to go about their business -- but by the same token, we're surprised that Sprint isn't instead saying that it intends to aggressively push its upcoming CDMA-based Qchat system over iDEN and make the transition as smooth and inexpensive as possible for its Direct Connect customers. Whatevs; we suppose it's good news that Sprint intends to inject a handful of relatively exciting new hardware into the mix in 2008 -- something Sprint alludes to in its press release, along with the promise of several new "press-to-x" features that will allow users to send texts, pictures and the like just as they would a PTT call. Last time we checked that was called SMS and MMS, but what do we know?
Engadget Mobile brings you iDEN day part 3, say hello to the Moto i872
Motorola certainly seems to have some depth in its iDEN lineup for this year. While it lacks the sexy we saw in the last two outings, the Motorola i872 will certainly appeal to longtime iDEN fans with its vanilla clamshell style. Specs are thin for this device but we're hearing it packs a 1.3 megapixel shooter with LED flash, Bluetooth with A2DP, and an SD slot to bump your memory up for music and such. No word on pricing but it should apparently start shipping next quarter. As per usual, this is all rumor magic, but we hope that the proof arrives in the next little while. Hit the gallery for a couple more shots.[Thanks, iDENguy]%Gallery-14914%
Motorola's iDEN i335 spotted, barely released and now refreshed
Well, will you look what the cat's dragged in today? Another rumored Motorola iDEN delight for us to feast our eyes on, this time a pretty stylin' looking refresh on the Motorola i335 called the, ah, Motorola i335. Gone is the funky and lumpy look of the i335 we saw late last year, this refresh apparently adds a VGA camera, updated Bluetooth, and improved music functionality. Apparently due out in Q4 of this year -- we still can't speculate on just how real it is -- with yesterday's news of the "CABO" it seems iDEN is making something of a comeback -- or is it just starting? -- in the cool handset department.[Thanks, iDENguy]
Motorola CABO bringing RAZR 2 style to iDEN?
Wow, never thought we'd see the day that an iDEN handset came along that lacked that distinct iDENness. Motorola will definitely set that marketplace on fire if this beautifully RAZR 2-esque thing actually proves to be real, check out the frickin external screen on this thing! Featuring a 3 megapixel camera, external touch screen -- we're not positive if this only refers to the controls pictured above -- Bluetooth, support for up to a 6 GB SD card, and have we mentioned how glorious the whole thing looks? Look for this to land Q4 this year, that is, if it ever gets out of Photoshop the design room. Color us pretty unsure until we hear more.[Thanks, iDENguy]
Sprint rolls out everything-proof Motorola i570
Sprint Nextel's iDEN network shares a lot in common with the rugged phones offered for it: no matter what you do to it, it doesn't seem to die. The new i570 laughs in the face of iDEN / CDMA hybrid and Qchat technologies, kicking it totally old-school with a straight up iDEN implementation that hearkens back to a simpler (read: less interesting) time. Features include integrated GPS, teeny, tiny color primary and monochrome external displays, and a ruggedized shell only a mother could love. Grab it now for a shade under $100 on contract after rebates.[Via Phone Scoop]
Motorola Q9c, i335 / Blackberry Pearl 8130 on sale at Sprint
It's not like you didn't know this day was coming, but Sprint users eagerly awaiting the actual release of Motorola's Q9c / i335 or the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 can quit sitting on their hands. That right folks, as of now, all three of the aforementioned handsets are available on Sprint, and while we're sure you're up to speed on all the specs, here's the down low on prices. After a two-year agreement and mail-in rebate, the i335 will run you $49.99, while the Q9c demands $149.99 and the Pearl 8130 rings up at $199.99. Take your pick -- the trio is on sale now online and in Sprint stores everywhere.Read - Motorola Q9c / i335 on sale at SprintRead - BlackBerry Pearl 8130 on sale at Sprint
Regulators put pressure on Sprint to remedy issues with iDEN network
Although Sprint has coughed up some $1 billion over the past few years in order to nix the interference between 2,200 public safety agencies across the US and its iDEN network, it apparently hasn't done enough. Reportedly, the FCC has warned Sprint that it "could lose access to the signal spectrum used by its Nextel- and Boost Mobile-branded wireless services" if it doesn't remedy the problem by June of 2008. Supposedly, Sprint is "working hard" to settle the issue, but it's not wasting any time asking the US Court of Appeals to get involved. The carrier claims that these shut down threats could force it to halt signups of Nextel-branded customers, and furthermore, around three million public-safety workers would purportedly lose service if the FCC did indeed shut down the Nextel network. 'Course, industry analysts are suggesting that regulators wouldn't really go through with shutting it down, but if nothing else, this should light a fire under Sprint to expedite the process.[Via PhoneScoop]
Boost Mobile gets official with i425t, thinnest iDEN phone ever
Amidst all the hubbub surrounding Motorola's latest batch of... dare we say, almost attractive iDEN candybars, Boost has gone ahead and made its variant, the i425t, official. As is often the case with iDEN equipment, features lag a bit in exchange for PTT supremacy; here, we get a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, GPS, integrated instant messaging, vibrating alert, and support for up to 600 contacts. That's right -- no camera or Bluetooth, though you will get your phone in a new eco-friendly "clamshell" packaging design that features end caps made of 35 percent post-consumer waste. Pick it up next month in two-tone titanium gray / black slate for $59.99 including $5 worth of call credit.
Motorola's i335, ic602 for iDEN
Dare we say that there's never been a better time to be an iDEN customer? Yeah, by all accounts it seems that Sprint would eventually like to phase out its Nextel network, but Motorola's busting out a slew of devices as of late that almost actually look like they're from the year 2007. Imagine that! Gearlog happened across these two gems at a recent Motorola event, the i335 -- pictured left -- and the CDMA / iDEN hybrid ic602 on the right. The i335 looks to be a close cousin of the recently announced i290, positioned as an entry-level handset with availability expected before the year's out. As the name implies, the ic620 slots in somewhere below the ic902 in the hybrid lineup, featuring a camera -- either VGA or 2 megapixel, depending on who you believe -- and should drop in the fall months.[Via Phone Scoop]
Sprint links both its networks for walkie-talkie call
Although Sprint has decided to dump the Nextel name from all its marketing efforts, it is (of course) keeping that billion-dollar iDEN network operational. To drive that point home, the wireless carrier made the first walkie-talkie connection between two different phones (one on each network) recently. Yes, Nextel's "Direct Connect" talked to Sprint's upgraded EV-DO revision A network as the carrier prepares to make that newer EV-DO revision A network interoperable with the older iDEN network sometime next year when it comes to that chirping walkie talkie feature.
iDEN to finally lose some pudge with i290 candybar
i880 series aside (maybe), Motorola's iDEN lineup really doesn't have a track record of wowing the fashion conscious among us. Granted, the network has always been targeted at heavy-duty industries where impressing those around you with your face candy isn't necessarily a priority, but it'd still be nice to have the option of getting in on the most ubiquitous PTT service without carrying a phone that looks like a brightly-colored rock (and no, we're not talking about a PEBL, either). Enter the i290, a phone outed by Motorola that displays Telus branding -- Canada, here we come -- and will almost certainly find its way to Sprint, too. Little is known about the slim candybar, but the lack of a "c" in the model number likely means that it's straight iDEN, not an iDEN / CDMA hybrid. High end? No, but unlike most of its stablemates, you might get away without anyone knowing you're using iDEN here. We'll throw out more details as we get 'em.
Motorola ic902 gets official for Sprint Nextel
Motorola's iDEN / CDMA hybrid handsets are starting to get a little fancy, it seems. The new ic902 seems to offer up the best of both worlds for the uncompromising push-to-talk junkie, combining features like Power Vision (read: EV-DO rev. 0), healthy QVGA primary and 160 x 120 external color displays, integrated GPS, microSD memory expansion, Bluetooth, music player (sans external controls, it seems), and a 2 megapixel camera into a 0.87 inch, 4.8 ounce form. Grab it starting today online and starting next month in retail locations for $300 on a two-year agreement or $490 contract-free.[Via Phone Scoop]Update: Seems the media controls are on the phone's side. Silly iDEN, always doing things just a little differently! [Thanks, Dan]
