Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced a half dozen push-to-x QChat phones that are set to run on Sprint's EVDO Rev. A network instead of the old Nextel iDEN network. The new Direct Connect service supports one-to-one and group push-to-talk capabilities with other QChat users as well as Nextel users. The QChat phones also only require one phone number for both regular calls and PTT calls, which is a change from the legacy Nextel phones which required two numbers. Hesse also announced an as yet unnamed WiFi-enabled BlackBerry that will run on the Nextel iDEN network. No word yet on a timeframe for a launch on the device.
Here's a quick rundown of the QChat phones that Hesse unveiled this morning:
· Motorola V950: a rugged flip phone with a 2.2 inch, 320-by-240 screen and a 2MP camera. This feature-rich phones looks to be the most expensive of the new QChat phones.
· Sanyo PRO-700: a ruggedized, 1.7 inch slim flip phone that will retail for $69.99 with a two-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate. Other features include GPS, Bluetooth, email.
· Sanyo PRO-200: a similar handset, but the non-ruggedized version of the slim flip phone that will retail for $49.99. Other features include GPS, Bluetooth, email but no camera.
· Samsung Z700: a midrange clamshell with a high resolution 2.1 inch screen, 2MP camera, Bluetooth, microSD slot and more.
· Samsung Z400: ruggedized but a more modest version of the Z700. The Z400 features a lower-res screen, a 1.3MP camera and a rubber exterior.
· LG LX400: 1.3MP camera, GPS, speakerphone.
Sprint said to expect the phones to launch this summer and price points should come out shortly before the launches. -Brian
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