Motorola announces the i1, the world's first PTT Android smartphone

By on Mar 22, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Breaking March 22, 2010

motorola-i1

Big news today for iDEN fans who have been jonesing for the Opus One that we scooped and spec’d way back when in December as today it has been formally announced Motorola. Officially known as the Motorola i1, the device is the world’s first Android Push-To-Talk smartphone and it will be offered “this summer” by Sprint. While pricing is currently unknown, we do know practically everything else about the phone and its specs which include a 3.1″ HVGA display, 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus and dual-LED flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 and stupidly a 2.5mm headphone jack. Running Android 1.5 with a custom UI overlay — possibly a less social version of MOTOBLUR — Motorola has also decided to replace the stock Android browser with Opera Mini 5 plus Flash Lite as well as include the amazing Swype virtual keyboard. Yay or nay, folks?

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  • Mrwirez

    A desk jockey has no use for this phone but, construction and industry use these everyday.

    Google just keeps pumping out the Android everywhere… Nice!

    • Josh

      I can even see someone older who could have use for this phone, it would be able to stand up to abuse.

  • Gag

    How can anyone be an iDEN fan? A garbage 2G technology, coupled with an outdated version of Android, on a dying carrier. What a combo!

    • Saila Vash

      obviously you have never been part of the maritime industry. that network is all that we use within our company. and a phone like this will be a great addition to a tankerman like me, it will make gauging out my oil barge that much easier then turn around and immediately send that information into dispatch. what a cool way of speeding up the paperwork process and lowering cost of dock time.

  • Grinder16

    I REALLY wish everyone talking about 2.1 had a clue. These handsets begin production WELL in advance of a new OS being announced, idiots. You cant stop all production and redesign the entire phone to suit an OS.

    Why do you think no one has gotten the update yet, except for phones built on the OS. right now it is still VERY buggy… TRUST ME on that..

  • Jorge

    Kudos to Motorola for going with Android on this. Too bad about the 2.5 mm jack. I wonder if most PTT users only have 2.5 mm headsets. Or maybe this is the only format compatible with PTT enabled headsets? Who knows.

    The 8350i also has a 2.5 mm jack.

    This will sell well. Now people will have a choice between the Blackberry and the nice touchscreen phone. Will have to see what the price will be.

    • Grinder16

      Most all IDEN handsets have 2.5 so there is compatibility..

    • theproto

      Agreed! Choices are great!

      The 2.5 is really a NEXTEL thing and the expensive headsets that companies have invested in are 2.5mm, its just a standard for iDEN.

      I use Sennheiser bluetooth headphones myself with my 8350i and a 16GB MicroSD card for tunes.

    • Phicksfpc

      The reason iDEN uses the 2.5mm headset jack is because it is a special jack with an integral outer ring to facilitate PTT. Users who want PTT using the headset need this special design. Users who don’t need headset PTT can use a regular 2.5 headset

  • theproto

    While I’m a BlackBerry only guy myself… Being a BES admin does that to you…

    I am also an iDEN folk that stands by iDEN’s PTT/NEXTEL DC and use it instead of texts any day with my wife and coworkers…

    I am very stoked to see this phone come on board and look forward to the next BlackBerry that may head to iDEN (hopefully packing WiMAX as well).

    The BlackBerry 8350i with WiFi is a great device for those that need NEXTEL DC and I suspect this will be no different…

    I am a bit concerned about its data usage seeing as BlackBerry devices are much more efficient than Android and iPhones OSes are in general. Time will tell…

    If you are going to comment, please make it intelligent… Not just bashing iDEN because you think its slow, the Direct Connect chirp or don’t need sub-second PTT yourself.

  • Dale McNamee

    For ALL of You iDEN Haters,

    From Motorola’s iDEN Technical Overview Paper :

    ” Reasons for Considering iDEN

    Traditional PTT radio communications in corporate and municipal environments was
    limited by the number of radios and Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
    licensing. These restrictions limited the coverage area, contact outside the assigned,
    licensed mobile units, and provided little privacy.

    The iDEN system:
    • Removes end-user FCC licensing requirements
    • Opens communication to other subscriber corporations and all telephones1
    • Increases the coverage area
    • Allows private and group calling
    • Optimizes RF resources
    • Improves quality with higher frequencies and digital technology
    Because of the finite availability of the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum and a need to
    optimize this resource, iDEN technology increases the efficiency of a single 25 KHz
    RF carrier by applying up to six times the traffic of an AMPS Cellular carrier.

    In addition to the increased channel efficiency, an iDEN system may be deployed to
    support communications outside the provider’s network (roaming). The telephonestyle
    interconnect capability allows users to roam seamlessly throughout linked
    service areas. A user may place and receive calls as if the Mobile Station (MS) is on
    its home system. This also allows the service provider to offer an integrated service
    that includes:
    • Messaging (Short Message Service)
    • Private, Two-way & Group Call Cellular Telephony Service
    • Voice Mail
    • Data Networking (Intranet, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Internet).

    Since the iDEN system uses digital technology, it provides clear voice quality,
    interference is reduced and voice quality is enhanced.

    As the wireless industry grows, subscribers are seeking more services and increased
    functionality from a single service provider. With iDEN systems, these services and
    system outgrowth can easily and quickly be provisioned and made available to the
    end user because the radio link reduces installation time and cost when compared to
    land-based approaches. ”

    So,there’s more to it than is thought…

  • mi_canuck

    Android for hillbillies!! yeeeehaaaaw!!!!

    3.1″ screen, 2.5mm jack, Android 1.5…. hahahaha… how fucking lame… well the rednecks and hillbillies buying walkie talkie phones won’t know the difference…. lol

    • theproto

      To the poster above, you sir, are an idiot. Probably even Canadian, which is synonymous with retarded.

    • Dakota

      Have fun when it hits Telus’s MiKE iDEN networks. At least we won’t be paying out the ass on a 3 year contract for ours.

  • BrainJuice

    Cute…

  • JB

    Uhh Dale, did you google iDEN benefits? That article is probably 10 years old. All cell tech offers that.

    • Dale McNamee

      JB,

      I did,and I realize that the paper is dated,but it’s still relevant as to what iDEN is and how it works. That hasn’t changed.

  • JAG

    looks nice this device

  • http://PPCGeeks Ahbroody

    kind of cool. Gives those who use iden for work a chance at a decent OS.

  • C

    although I hate the sound of the 2way bleep bleep that was oh so popular years ago, this phone will no doubt have a great speakerphone… even if you dont use the the ppt feature.

  • Malcolm

    Does anyone know if this phone will also be on the Boost prepaid network?

  • Malcolm

    If it gets upgraded to at least 1.6 and goes to Boost Mobile, then count me in. I’ll drop my current carrier to save some money.

    • compton

      this fone is on the boost mobile network and its 50$ month unlimited compared to the bbfor60

  • Darryl Vaughn

    I think it looks really cool. :)

  • wtf-bot

    There is no 3g – no 2g – just 24kbps. edge would be better. I am all about the rugged devices but seriously – dump the ptt and throw some 3g at this bitch.

    • whatever

      I just like the way some people make fun of the PTT. I use it often. I may be wrong but isn’t verizon coming out with the same idea………

      • wtf-bot

        I have no problem with ptt but the lack of any decent data speeds severely gimps this platform.

  • jacob

    (drooling) As a current subscriber to nextel the sooner nextel comes out with this phone the better.I also wanna rub it in my brothers face since he left nextel for the iphone. I will also refer customers to nextel for a free motorola i1 SERIOUSLY lol

  • Xandiprice

    I thought this was supposed to be released by BoostMobile at the end of March 2010? It’s almost May and still nothing… Anyone have any news?

    • Jacob

      Release date is summer 2010 on the nextel network, no news yet if it’s going to be available on the boost mobile network.

  • Gary

    Can someone explain to me what 1.6 is and how it relates to this phone working on the Boost network. From my understanding after talking to a Rep from Boost Corporate. He told me that Boost is owned and operated by Sprint. Also, they both use the exact same network. However, Boost offers a much lower price point. Is their any truth to this?

    • Jacob

      Boost is just like nextel, the only difference is that boost is prepaid with no contract.

  • sluu

    You can only PTT iDEN phones from i1. It seems dumb to buy another phone just to get PTT. There are excellent free PTT apps on the android market. My favorite is TiKL – Touch to Talk. I can PTT a group of my friends. All I need is their phone numbers that are already in my contacts. They can be on any android phone with any carrier. TiKL connects me instantaneously! Some user comment says it is faster than nextel. And it’s free!!

  • Juan

    Well I’m a Boost Represenative and just to give you guys all a heads up the phone will be released for Boost Mobile the same time it launches for Nextel in the summer.Already in some Boost Stores you can go and Pre Order the phone.

  • Deangelo

    @malcom yes boost is getting is it’s called the Boost Mobile i1

  • gene

    i am actually very intrigued with the features of this fone. and i am aware that with the android capabilities it can download alot of great apps. my question is will this fone be able to download windows? if so im sold! im in need of that fone for business purposes. thanks, gene!

  • ;DDD

    OmG GETTinG THiis RADIo/phONE TodaYY
    HA llOks KewL

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