Samsung and MetroPCS today announced the Tint R420, a basic clamshell phone with user-changeable front and back covers. Other features include ChatLINK push-to-talk, Bluetooth, camera, color outer display, and GPS navigation. With tri-band CDMA, the Tint supports the AWS CDMA networks in MetroPCS’ newest covered cities. The Tint is available now in select locations for [...]

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If it’s beautiful phones you’re looking for, AT&T’s new Samsung a657 will probably not be of interest to you.
And that’s because the a657 is a rugged and tough handset “built to withstand the harshest conditions and most demanding users.”
Like AT&T’s previously released rugged phone from Samsung (Rugby a837), the a657 has Push to Talk (PTT) [...]

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Today Verizon Wireless announced the CDM8975, which is available through Verizon’s business channels starting today. The 8975, made by Personal Communications Devices, is push-to-talk capable and has GPS, stereo Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture and stereo speakers. It supports microSD cards up to 8GB, and is compatible with a number of Verizon’s [...]

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Star Wars fans will soon be available to communicate with each other using a pair of digital watches featuring quite a cheap looking clone trooper soldier style.
Kids will have hours of fun with this walkie talkie watch set. Whether role playing scenes from The Clone Wars or just sharing secret messages, these digital watches [...]

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AT&T has made the Samsung A837 Rugby available for sale. The mil-spec rugged clamshell was recently approved by the FCC and can withstand shock, vibration and dust. It has quad-band GSM radios and push-to-talk capabilities. It also packs in a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a-GPS. It can access the Web, AT&T’s messaging services, and [...]

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Motorola announced its next generation push-to-talk (PTT) service that runs on its CDMA 1x EVDO Rev A network. Motorola says that the new PTT service takes advantage of vaster EVDO Rev A speeds to provide higher data rates, low call set-up time latency, and more quality of service.
The next generation service offers a buddy list [...]

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Documents seen on the FCC site provide details on a new iDEN phone from Motorola, the i365. This update to the i355 features push to talk and push to view services, and is extremely rugged. It includes Bluetooth and GPS. Motorola has not announced this phone, nor have any carriers said they will sell it, [...]

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Today Verizon Wireless and Motorola announced the V750 Adventure, a rugged handset that uses EVDO Rev. A-based technology to provide push-to-talk services. The Adventure meets mil-spec standards for toughness and is preloaded with business software, but it also includes mass market capabilities. It has dual displays, a 2 megapixel camera, a 2.5mm headset [...]

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Verizon Wireless has confirmed that it will be rolling out an improved push-to-talk offering later this summer to compete with Sprint’s PTT services. Sprint recently launched QChat phones and services in several markets, including Colorado, Kansas, and Ohio. It will be expanding the availability of QChat over time. QChat permits standard CDMA-based phones to interact [...]

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Chinavision puts a whole new meaning to the “talk to the hand” expression by launching a wristwatch with a built-in walkie talkie.
Pair of matte black walkie talkies on a wrist strap for a cool gadgety way of keeping in contact. With multiple channel support, a backlit digital LCD screen, an over 1km range, and [...]

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The folks at Motorola really love their wordplay, but they seem to lose all the vowels whenever they’re at it. The TLKR is the latest two-way radio line, and it will come in T3 and T5 variants. The former features 8 channels, a 20-hour battery life, a 5km range, a sleep mode, channel scan/monitor, and [...]

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Cingular has launched the LG CU400, a relatively low-end handset that also features 3G connectivity. Previously Cingular has kept 3G for more expensive handsets. Even with the limited feature set, the CU400 is still compatible with Cingular Video and MobiTV.
Features of the CU400 include:

Quad-band GSM plus UMTS 3G and EDGE
Bluetooth
VGA camera
176×220 pixel screen with 65k [...]

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Sprint has decided on Qualcomm’s QChat solution to power the company’s next generation push-to-talk service. After the merger with Nextel, push-to-talk migration became a very important topic for Sprint. Since PTT is a major part of Nextel’s service and Sprint plans to transition away from the iDEN infrastructure, a robust PTT system that could span [...]

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Cingular Wireless has launched the Sony Ericsson Z525a, using it to replace the Z520a which it launched last year. The update simply adds push-to-talk.
Features of the Z525a include:

Push-to-talk
VGA camera
Bluetooth
16 MB user memory
128×160 pixel screen with 65K colors
GSM 850/900/1800/1900

Cingular is selling the Z525a for $19.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

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A standard for push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) has been approved. The Open Mobile Alliance made the announcement at CommunicAsia this week. With a cross-carrier standard in place it should be possible to have PoC conversations span carriers, something today that isn’t possible. Billing will have to be worked out though, a non-trivial piece of the [...]

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