Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Sprint Prepares for 4Q Launch of Sprint Direct Connect with Feature-Rich, CDMA Handsets

Sprint Prepares for 4Q Launch of Sprint Direct Connect with Feature Rich CDMA Handsets Sprint Prepares for 4Q Launch of Sprint Direct Connect with Feature Rich, CDMA Handsets

Sprint

Sprint today announced the initial phones it plans to deploy in the fourth quarter when the company launches its next-generation, push-to-talk service powered by Sprint’s broadband CDMA network. The new service – Sprint Direct Connect – will deliver higher bandwidth capacity to keep up with customers’ data demands and is expected to extend the company’s push-to-talk coverage to almost triple the square miles of the company’s current push-to-talk offering.

The Sprint Direct Connect phones to be introduced this fall will be the Kyocera DuraCore and the Kyocera DuraMax. As previously announced, a third handset — a Motorola smartphone — will be described closer to the launch of Sprint Direct Connect. The devices will feature most of the capabilities available on current Sprint push-to-talk phones plus next-generation, push-to-talk applications and functionality. Specific availability dates and pricing for each device will be released later.

 

“Sprint is thrilled to launch Sprint Direct Connect with a strong starting lineup of phones,” said Fared Adib, Sprint vice president of product development. “These devices represent the new gold standard in push-to-talk technology.”

 

Devices in 2011

 

Kyocera DuraMax brings customers advanced technology wrapped in a rugged exterior with a clamshell form factor. It offers military-grade durability, including water resistance when submerged up to one meter for up to 30 minutes. DuraMax comes with an integrated 3.2-megapixel camera and camcorder. The 32GB expandable microSD memory card slot provides the storage capacity required to manage large files on-the-go. Additional key features include:

 

2.0-inch QVGA TFT main display

Military standard 810G specifications for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain and immersion

Encased in rubber, non-slip Dura-Grip material for sure hold and extra durability

Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology

2.5mm stereo headphone jack (supports PTT headsets)

1GB microSD memory card

Large-font menu option

GPS navigation enabled

Supports SMS and MMS messaging and third-party data applications

 

Kyocera DuraCore is an affordable, high-impact solution for a mobile workforce that relies on push-to-talk. Additional features of this rugged, clamshell-style phone:

 

Military standard 810G specifications for dust, shock and vibration

Encased in rubber, non-slip Dura-Grip material for sure hold and extra durability

Bi-directional speakerphone

Bluetooth wireless technology

2.5mm mono headphone jack (supports PTT headsets)

Large-font menu option

GPS navigation enabled

Supports SMS and MMS messaging and third-party data applications

 

In addition to Direct Connect and group calling options, the devices are expected to enable Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability, simultaneous data and push to talk, and availability notification. In early 2012, Sprint Direct Connect will offer additional capabilities, including international push-to-talk.

 

Sprint continues to involve developers in the creation of new applications through its Sprint Gets Rugged application developers program. The program provides information, support and tools needed for developers to port applications to Sprint Direct Connect devices and to create innovative applications.

 

Sprint Gets Rugged application developer program also will be featured at the Sprint Open Solutions Conference, Nov. 2-4, in Santa Clara, Calif.