Orange yesterday launched Talk Now, a push-to-talk service. While quite common in the US (Verizon Wireless, Nextel, Sprint PCS all have it), this is a first* for Europe. Features include:

• Instant one-to-one and one-to-group calling as well as “silent” mode
• “Availability” icon so customers know who is available to use Talk Now
• First Talk Now Handset vendors: Alcatel, LG, Nokia, PalmOne and Sagem
• Nine months of trials with companies across Europe

In the UK, the service will initially be available on the Treo 600.

* The company is calling Talk Now the first “advanced” push-to-talk system in Europe. It was not mentioned how Talk Now is advanced.