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Verizon Rolling Out Nextel-Like PTT Service
aberson writes "Verizon Wireless announced today that it is rolling out a PTT (push to talk) phone service, targetted at business customers. They claim better coverage, 'presence' (away/available), and wireless web for about $10 more than Nextel and $10 more than a non-PTT Verizon plan. Pricing doesn't mention how 'high-speed' data will roll into this (which you can't get on Nextel), but you are using the CDMA2000 network to essentially do VoIP. If only it could be something cross-networkable like Sonim. Just wait a few months for the other carriers to catch up and cellular number portability to be enforced. Ironically, you can only get it on a Motorola made phone. Also, Verizon seems to be not caring about Nextel trying to copyright a generic technical term."
Sprint is about to launch a PTT VoIP solution as well, if they can overcome the technical issues. PTT VoIP is harder than it sounds, given the need for authentication, etc... unless you like waiting 30 seconds after you push the button to talk :)
Sorry..
Verizon Wireless want to attract the same type of customer as Nextel, one that is willing to pay $20 more a month for the walkie-talkie feature. Nextel's service is popular with groups such as constructions crews and financial traders. Sprint Corp.'s PCS unit has said it will introduce a similar product this year.
Must not...point out difference...between copyright and trademark...yet again...not...strong..enough!
You know when your relatives say they need 3 gigs of memory to install a game, or ask why they don't just put the hard disk in the TV screen, or why a computer needs to be plugged in if it is wireless? That's what it is like to read the same trademark/copyright/patent goofs made over and over and over again.
Trademarks are solely for marks used in trade. ie "We bring good things to life", a slogan, an icon, a piece of IDENTITY. You get trademarks so that consumers will not be confused about who produced a product. If you stop using a trademark (or it becomes common, no longer distinct to your company), you can lose it. It's sole purpose is to protect companies from imitators.
Copyrights are for the right to copy creative works. ie, novels, poems, computer programs, paintings, etc. You never have to sell, buy or process anything to get a copyright. it cannot be lost no matter what, but you can give it away or sell it. It is to protect AUTHORS, not companies or money (at least in theory).
Patents are for novel inventions (and lately, processes). You can't patent a book, or a painting, or a slogan, because they don't do anything. It protects inventors, not writers or marketing folks.
Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
If you allreadt have established a connection to someone all you do is press the button then talk. If you make many small phonecalls a day the service is perfect. Many craftsmen and workers are using it, for them its perfect, and the phone cost actyally goes down as you don't have to hold the line forever.
Currently the phone companies charges a premium for PTT, but I guess its only reasonable since the service is new and pretty high tech. The phone companies have invested a lot of money in this, but now they can sent the conversation in small packets over the IP-network.
At my company we just got this and I'm vert satisfied, monitoring of the workers are easier and takes less time. At the same time the productivity went up, so we can charge our customers more fore the time we work.
Proud patriot and republican voter.
The best way I can describe PTT when compared to a standard voice conversation is that PTT is almost like a voice SMS. It's useful for communicating short bursts of information quickly.
Advantages to PTT/"Direct Connect (TM)" is that as soon as you push the button, you're connected to the other party - you don't have to wait while the other end rings and for them to pick up. Also, communication using PTT is closer to a walkie talkie than a phone conversation.
Example:
Them: *chirp* (press the button and release it to page them, indicating you want to talk to them)
Me: "Go."
Them: "What's your 20?"
Me: "3rd and Maple."
Them: "Copy. Need assistance?"
Me: "Negative. Thanks."
As you can see, it can be a little quicker than a phone conversation. Additionally since the mike is only on while you have the button pressed, I typically am doing other things at the same time, like talking to others, without the other end hearing it.
The advantages are mostly visible when you have an entire department or company equipped with PTT phones. If you are the only one, then PTT is kind of silly, admittedly.