Cingular launches PTT!

[bobolito]

Well, it seems like it is here finally:

http://www.cingular.com/pushtotalk

I heard this is just a soft launch and the real launch is happening in about 2 weeks.

[Fire14]

That's cool to know, I didn't see if our area is included, do you know if it is?
Also I noticed the Samsung is not available yet, I wonder if they are having problems with it still.

[CWick]

I never have had much of an interest in PTT...but I can see others wanting it.

I was a Verizon customer a few years ago when they launched their PTT...there was all this excitement, then it turned out to be a big dud.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by CWick

I never have had much of an interest in PTT...but I can see others wanting it.

I was a Verizon customer a few years ago when they launched their PTT...there was all this excitement, then it turned out to be a big dud.

That's 1 reason I want to hear all the feedback as it gets more popular before trying/going to it myself, everything sounds good about it but until it's out in the field being used by all us regular everyday people you can not go by the hype from the company.

[CWick]

Originally Posted by Fire14

That's 1 reason I want to hear all the feedback as it gets more popular before trying/going to it myself, everything sounds good about it but until it's out in the field being used by all us regular everyday people you can not go by the hype from the company.

IMO, if you want PTT go with Nextel.

I believe these non-Nextel carriers that implement PTT do it over IP, where Nextel implements it some other way. I don't know all the details, but in short...Nextel ends up being better.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by CWick

IMO, if you want PTT go with Nextel.

I believe these non-Nextel carriers that implement PTT do it over IP, where Nextel implements it some other way. I don't know all the details, but in short...Nextel ends up being better.

I have both Cingular & Nextel & for me Nextel's coverage is lousy, especially for phone calls but Direct Connect can be a real pain as well.
I was just looking at alternatives for the future, my Nextel is with the county fire & explosion investigation task force, so it's not a choice right now but if something better comes around then the county or town might decide to go with a better alternative & by having any info I can give some input to them on both. (State personel went with Verizon's PTT & they are not happy with it compared to Nextel, so for now Nextel is the prefered PTT company and I can't argue with that fact)
As for personal usage, It could have it's benefits, I just would have to weight the benefits after a year or 2 of people using it.

[JR1]

Is cingular going to support PTT on the motorola V557?

[CWick]

Originally Posted by JR1

Is cingular going to support PTT on the motorola V557?

The phone has to be specifically designed for PTT.....so no.

[JR1]

The Motorola V557 supports PTT. But it is not listed as one of the first 2 offerings.....though they have been offering the V557 for about a month now.


V557
Get connected and stay informed like never before thanks to the Motorola V557. Featuring SCREEN3, an innovative technology solution from Motorola, the Motorola V557 gives you zero-click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content directly from your mobile device home screen – no buttons to push, no browsers to launch. Motorola's SCREEN3 puts fresh content at your fingertips.. Push-to-Talk over cellular (PoC)2, Push-to-View2 and EDGE1 (Enhanced Data Global Evolution) technologies let you connect and share with one-touch convenience, whether in Bali or Boston. The handset takes this power one a step further by combining it with Bluetooth® wireless technology1 for PoC2 communication from your Bluetooth-enabled headset. And with an integrated camera, video record and playback and speedy downloads1, this mobile is designed to keep you entertained and connected at all times – wire-free communication doesn’t get any better.



Instant Updates

If it is speedy news you’re after, the Motorola V557 is your mobile information gateway. This mobile powerhouse features SCREEN3, an innovative technology solution from Motorola that gives you zero-click access1 to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content directly from your mobile device home screen – no buttons to push, no browsers to launch. Motorola's SCREEN3 puts fresh content at your fingertips1.



Work It!

The Motorola V557 boasts an integrated VGA-quality digital camera with zoom and advanced messaging1 options, giving you the power to point, click and send photos. Add a personalized voice message1 and you’ve got a hi-tech way to share thoughts with friends, family or colleagues. Action adventures are recorded and stored with the mobile’s video capabilities. Finally, mobile masterpiece creation and storage made simple!



Always Connected

For pumped up communication, choose the Motorola V557, offering Push-To-View to spontaneously share photos at the push of one button. Or, use PoC2 over EDGE1 for rapid connections or POC2 over Bluetooth1 for a wire-free way to connect in moments – either way, you’ll be able to talk to one or many with supreme convenience. And with presence indicators, you'll always know who is available.



SUMMARY OF FEATURES

Sleek flip design with chrome accents and a soft-touch finish
Motorola's SCREEN3 technology solution featuring zero-click access to news, sports, entertainment, and other premium content.1
VGA quality digital camera with zoom, brightness adjustment and picture caller ID1
Video record and playback
EDGE1, GPRS1 and J2ME™ for high speed downloading1 and sending1 of games, musical ringtones, wallpapers and more
PoC2 options including contact list with presence, PoC2 over Bluetooth1 and PoC2 over EDGE1
Push to View2 to share visual experiences with ease
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)1, IM1 Wireless Village and Email1 (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4)
22KHz polyphonic speakers
WAP 2.0 and GPRS for ‘always on’ Internet access1


The Motorola V557 is expected to be available in Q2 2005. For more information on pricing and product availability in your region, please check with your local Motorola representative.



1Certain mobile phone features are dependent on the capabilities and settings of your service provider’s network. Additionally, certain features may not be activated by your service provider, and/or their network settings may limit the feature’s functionality. Always contact your service provider about feature availability and functionality. All features, functionality and other product specifications are based upon the latest available information and are believed to be accurate; however such product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.



2The Push To applications and the other features indicated are network and subscription dependent features, and are not available in all areas. Push To connectivity requires Push to compatible phones.



The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used by Motorola, Inc. under license. Java and all other Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S.and other countries. MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the USPatent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2005.

[bobolito]

V557 PTT WILL NOT work with Cingular. It has to be specially designed for the Cingular PTT system (Kodiak). I know many of you are going to see phones coming out that claim to be PoC compatible, but PoC is NOT compatible with Cingular's PTT. So whenever you see PoC in a phone, don't even ask. It will not work with Cingular's PTT. Bottomline, only those phones released by Cingular specifically for their PTT service will be the only phones that will work with their PTT system.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by CWick

IMO, if you want PTT go with Nextel.

I believe these non-Nextel carriers that implement PTT do it over IP, where Nextel implements it some other way. I don't know all the details, but in short...Nextel ends up being better.

Cingular's PTT is not over IP. Only VZW and Sprint do it over IP.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by Fire14

That's cool to know, I didn't see if our area is included, do you know if it is?
Also I noticed the Samsung is not available yet, I wonder if they are having problems with it still.

I've heard the Samsung firmware has some issues that need to be resolved.

[CWick]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Cingular's PTT is not over IP. Only VZW and Sprint do it over IP.

Gotcha....maybe it will be better then VZW and Sprint's.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by CWick

Gotcha....maybe it will be better then VZW and Sprint's.

Much better in terms of features and speed!

[SpinMixr]

What a real shame.....It took cingular forever to get PTT. And now I'm about to leave Cingular once my contract is up. My Youth pastor and his wife and our friend have Sprint and they wans me to get Sprint so that way we can (Readylink) PTT. I saw a demo of it at the store when I was gathering details to switch over and it looks fine. Does anyone have any experiance with Readylink?
I will have had cingular for 4 years once my contract expires. Service has been good up to about the 2 1/2 year mark. Once the ATT/Cingular merger hit, my service drops out during calls, and I get a message saying System Busy. I used to work for Cingular, and I got a first hand look at how they run their company. They don't care at all about their customers, all they want is your money. Thats why everything they put out is really cheaply made and they charge a butt-load of money for.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by SpinMixr

I used to work for Cingular, and I got a first hand look at how they run their company. They don't care at all about their customers, all they want is your money. Thats why everything they put out is really cheaply made and they charge a butt-load of money for.

That sounds like the general description of any wireless carrier.

Just remember, whoever said the grass is greener on the other side of the fence is most likely lying to you.

[Fire14]

bobolito, have you checked out the PTT yet? I stopped by 1 of the stores today & it seemed pretty fast connecting to another person & the sound quality was awsome compared to the Nextel. The only think I didn't care for was the Beep's, almost like Nextel's but stranger sounding. The rep had the Samsung, which was a nice unit.

I would like to really field test it though to see if it is any better then the Nextel, but don't feel like spending another $20.00 a month & migrate over to Orange yet, but if it is like the test was today I am impressed.