Any plans for a new device with Direct Connect?

[joebogey]

Little history before my question. I had a BB 7250 & Curve before getting an Droid Incredible on Verizon. Love it. Prior to the Dinc, I had no experience with Android. My brother is thinking of replacing his Motorola rock (basic phone, is at least 6 years old, doesn't even do txt msgs). And after saving our butt during a road trip using Google Maps and the browser, he's thinking of replacing it with a Droid device. However he needs to stay on Spring & needs Direct Connect. I see the Motorola i1 fits the bill, but it runs Android 1.5, but that's not a major issue as my brother's not a techie and will be blown away that the phone doesn't have a crank on the side to get it working.

Question is this: Are there any plans of coming out with another Android phone with Direct Connect, or is this it?

 

[StealthTH]

My understanding is Sprint is phasing out their iDEN network (which is what ptt phones used), so unless they adapt the technology to their evdo or cdma network my guess is probably no.

 

[joebogey]

Cool, thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

[DNicolasL]

Motorola is putting out a 2.1 phone for Nextel.

Sent from my HTC EVO with Tapatalk Pro

 

[lafountain]

The phaseout is expected to begin in 2013 and complete by 2015, so it is possible that another PTT phone would be brought online. But Sprint is planning on bringing PTT to their current CDMA network.

As the shifting to more broadband-centric PTT applications on the CDMA network occurs, it is expected that iDEN cell sites will be phased out. This phase out is expected to begin in 2013.
“We’re seeing an increasing need from our push-to-talk customers for high-speed data capabilities, said Steve Elfman, president-Network Operations & Wholesale, Sprint. “Marrying the industry’s only sub-second PTT call setup with broadband data directly supports our customers’ needs and creates an unmatched offering in the market. Additionally, we fully expect a competitively priced lineup of rugged handsets and smartphones on the CDMA network.

 

[MotoDroid]

I hear there are plans for more android phones coming to Nextel. The Motorola I1 is out as u know and The Motorola I886 recently released has an "Android" feel to it, may want to ck it out for him. I read somewhere Motorola I1Q is coming to Nextel. They claim to phase Nextel out but have yet in many years to get a replacement and I dont see it happening. They also jus extended their contract with Motorola for new devices.