Tag Archives: DirectConnect

Kyocera Torque coming to Sprint’s Direct Connect lineup in March, we go hands-on (video)

Posted on by

Kyocera Torque

Going to be in the market for a new Direct Connect device soon, but the current offerings seem so... drab? Enter the Kyocera Torque, the latest Sprint smartphone featuring the network's CDMA-based Push-to-Talk service. The phone, which should be available sometime in early March, brings with it LTE connectivity, (mostly) stock Android 4.0, a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, HD Voice, 4-inch WVGA display, 4GB internal storage and a 2,500mAh battery. As you'd come to expect on a Direct Connect device, it's also certified mil-spec 810G and IP67 and is water-resistant (it can be in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes). It's also the first on this side of the Pacific to utilize Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver tissue-conduction tech, a system that foregoes the traditional earpiece and transmits audio to your ear via vibration.

The Torque packs a lot of average features that would likely put it somewhere in the mid-range (we haven't been given pricing yet), but it's definitely not going to win any beauty awards -- it's still a Direct Connect device, after all. Its outer layer is dressed with Dura-Grip and the phone is plenty bulky as a result; however, it's also much more durable than your standard piece of electronics. We threw the phone at the wall, slammed it repeatedly on the table, dunked it in water and even let it sit in ice for at least 20 minutes, all without incident.

On the software side, the Torque uses a version of stock Android 4.0 with only a small amount of tweaking. Essentially, the only major change added in by Sprint and Kyocera is Eco Mode, a power management system on the Torque that blocks background data connections for nonessential apps. We've put together a gallery of pics for you below. Follow us past the break for a full spec listing and our hands-on video.

Kyocera Torque specs:

  • Military spec 810G and IP67-certified
  • IPX5 / IPX7-certified "waterproof" (up to one meter for 30 minutes)
  • 5.54 ounces (157g)
  • 113 x 60.5 x 14.3mm (4.44 x 2.38 x 0.56 inches)
  • Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
  • 1.2GHz dual-core MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus
  • 4-inch WVGA IPS display, Gorilla Glass 2
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage
  • MicroSD (up to 32GB)
  • 2,500mAh battery
  • 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing
  • NFC, WiFi b/g/n 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 4.0+LE/EDR
  • HD Voice

Mat Smith contributed to this post.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices

Posted on by

DNP Sprint Direct Connect Now app brings pushtotalk to Android devices, where you at

Sprint announced on Wednesday the availability of its new Direct Connect Now Android app, which brings push-to-talk capabilities to the Kyocera Rise and LG Optimus Elite with support for other devices "coming soon." Compatible with both Nextel and Sprint Direct Connect devices, this free app features group calls for up to 21 people, touchscreen controls, call alert notifications and contact synchronization. While we appreciate this advancement in push-to-talk communication, we can't help but shed a tear reminiscing about the good old days of Boost Mobile's "where you at?" campaign. Please join us as we pour one out and celebrate faded memories of the chirp.

Continue reading Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices

Filed under: ,

Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSprint  | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012

Posted on by

Mobile Miscellany week of September 17th, 2012

If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Sprint hit more than one milestone that it just had to share and Nokia teased the latest app that's exclusive to Lumia owners. We then discovered a very rare BlackBerry and also learned of the latest city to get prepped for T-Mobile's LTE service. Hell, we even stumbled on a new smartphone for old people! These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of September 17th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012

Filed under: , , ,

Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November

Posted on by

AT&T ready to take battle Sprint for PushtoTalk supremacy starting in November

While Sprint's iDEN network is getting the axe in favor of a new CDMA setup, AT&T will soon be sprucing up its near absent push-to-talk services. Targeting a November release with plans starting around $30, Ma Bell's enhanced PTT will be compatible with smartphones running Android 2.3+, BlackBerry 7, Windows Phone 8 and even Java-powered feature phones. In addition to playing nice with a variety of mobile platforms, this new service will also work across laptops, tablets and smart cars.

Continue reading AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November

Filed under: , ,

AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Fierce Wireless  |  sourceAT&T  | Email this | Comments

Sprint pulls iDEN handsets from retail, continues to sunset legacy Nextel network

Posted on by

Sprint pulls iDEN handsets from retail, continues to sunset legacy Nextel network

With only one year to go before iDEN bites the big one, Sprint's making sure subscribers steer clear of devices that run on the legacy service. The aging tech, famous for its walkie talkie-like feature, is now one foot solidly in the grave as the carrier's removed all compatible handsets from its lineup, as well as subsidiary Boost Mobile's. That those particular phones and accompanying network have reached a grand EOL status should come as no surprise -- the operator's been quite public about plans to shift existing push-to-talk subs to its newer CDMA-based DirectConnect service and clear up spectrum for a planned LTE rollout. Clearly, Hesse and co. have seen the future and they're no longer content to play catch up with handicapped smartphones.

Sprint pulls iDEN handsets from retail, continues to sunset legacy Nextel network originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePhoneScoop  | Email this | Comments

Sprint sets a best-before date for iDEN push-to-talk: June 30th, 2013

Posted on by

Motorola Titanium and XPRT for Sprint

Amidst all of Sprint's eagerness to phase out its iDEN network, the carrier hasn't given us a hard cutoff date to mark on our calendars until now. If you're still rocking that Motorola Titanium, you may have to drop your Nextel push-to-talk dreams as soon as June 30th, 2013, the earliest possible date Sprint says it could shut down the legacy service. Government customers will be getting a friendly paper reminder on June 1st of this year to make sure they're using CDMA Direct Connect phones like the Admiral well in advance. The switch-off will mark the end to a long and troubled chapter in the Sprint Nextel era, but if it helps bring about 800MHz LTE sooner, we're all for it.

Continue reading Sprint sets a best-before date for iDEN push-to-talk: June 30th, 2013

Sprint sets a best-before date for iDEN push-to-talk: June 30th, 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sprint confirms Direct Connect Now, will offer Push-to-Talk services via smartphone app

Posted on by

Image

Sprint's been rather quiet at this year's CTIA Wireless in New Orleans, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been sitting around without making any sort of noise. This morning, the Now Network let the cat out of the bag about Direct Connect Now, which is a service that will allow any regular smartphone user the opportunity to use the company's push-to-talk services in very similar fashion to devices that come with PTT already built into the hardware. How is this made possible? Simply put, there's an app for that -- or at least, there will be one coming to Google Play at an unspecified time in the not-too-distant future. This doesn't mean Sprint is giving up on hardware-based Direct Connect devices: new models will continue to be released going forward, but more smartphone users will at least have an opportunity to take advantage of the services in one way or another. More info as we receive it.

Sprint confirms Direct Connect Now, will offer Push-to-Talk services via smartphone app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Posted on by

Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Although Sprint is winding down iDEN services here in the US, it hasn't turned its back on the technology completely. The nation's third largest wireless carrier has announced a new push-to-talk service offering, dubbed International Direct Connect. The $10 monthly add-on will allow Direct Connect push-to-talk users in the US -- utilizing its CDMA network -- to communicate with iDEN PTT users in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru free of charge. Although not explicitly stated, the aforementioned nations are referred to as "initial" markets, implying that more countries will be added to this list at some point in the future. All the details about the business-focused proposition, along with the press sheet, can be found after the break.

Continue reading Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments