Currently available on Android devices via the Android Market, but also being developed for the iPhone, Motorola has developed the first Android powered mobile with a push-to-talk function – the i1. Sold exclusively by Nextel, there are no monthly fees, no SMS fees, and no use of talk time minutes! It uses an email account as a message router and as a temporary message store. Plus, there is an iDEN development kit, which allows developers to program new applications for the push-to-talk function.
In addition to the walkie-talkie functionality, the i1 also meets military specifications for performance against dust, shock, rain, and vibration. Who treats their mobile phone this? I guess maybe you know someone who is always dropping their phone, so this may be good for them. Nevertheless, the two-way radio service is pretty cool as it will also allow you to broadcast voice messages to groups of people and respond to all recipients.
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I bought this phone and really like it, it is an awesome device. The only downside I see at this time is an issue that there appears to be with the battery. It will show fully charged for a long period of time, then if you plug a charger into it and unplug it, you get the “true” battery life left on it. Hopefully Motorola fixes this obvious bug in the device soon. Nothing like looking at it thinking you are fully charged, then all of the sudden notice it is in the yellow.