On October 23rd Sprint launched the second of three new Sprint Direct Connect devices that will be available this year. You may remember that Sprint launched a similar product 3 years ago that was called Nextel Direct Connect on Sprint. This time around the devices are being marketed as Sprint Direct Connect. But the important thing is that there is more in play here then some marketing name changes. This new launch involved a major upgrade to the original back end system that runs the service. There are all new servers geographically dispersed that run the system as well as new software and new clients that run on the handsets. These phones run on the CDMA EVDO Rev. A network and allow simultaneous P-T-T and data. There are several new features built into the phones such as the ability to Direct Connect up to 200 handsets in a TeamDC call as well as availability notification which alerts you when a user is available to DC if you try them when they are already on a DC call.

Admiral Features:

• Sprint Direct Connect
  
• 3.1" Touchscreen + QWERTY Keypad
  
• Android Gingerbread 2.3.5
  
• Powerful 1.2GHz processor makes multitasking and web browsing a breeze
  
• Designed to meet Mil-Spec 810G for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, pressure and solar radiation
  
• Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass touchscreen display provides resistance to scratches and greater damage resistance from impact.
  
• Motorola Media Link (MML) lets you quickly download music, photos and videos from your PC or Mac^® directly to and from your phone.
  
• Data encryption (256-bit AES) of device and SD card can be enabled manually, via settings or enforced via EAS policy
  
• Loud front facing speaker designed for Direct Connect calls
  
• 5.0 Megapixel Camera with flash and camcorder
  
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
  
• Mobile Hotspot Capability
  
• A 32GB expandable memory card slot
  
• 1860 mAh battery
  

Sprint Direct Connect services:

• Direct Connect^® - Instant, one-to-one push-to-talk calling nationwide, with any other Direct Connect subscriber. Direct Connect is the core push-to-talk feature and is designed for interoperability across Sprint and Nextel network platforms.
  
• Guaranteed Talk Permit - The assurance that when you hear the push-to-talk "chirp" that your call was successfully transmitted.
  
• Call Alert with Text - Send an audio alert with an optional text message to let another Direct Connect subscriber know you are trying to reach them and why.
  
• Group Connect^®** - Communicate with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers all at once - nationwide, at the push of one button.
  
• TeamDC^SM - Communicate with up to 200 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers at the same time nationwide¹.
  
• NextMail^® - Send a recorded message to any email worldwide or mobile handset via text message by using the Direct Connect button.
  
• Availability Notification - Request the availability status of another push-to-talk member and, if they are busy, request a notification when they are free.
  

The launch of the new Sprint Direct Connect service is extremely important for Sprint and is the answer to the planned shutdown of the Nextel iDEN network. Give the new Direct Connect service a try. I have been using this phone for a few months and this is definitely a game changer. One thing to note at this time is that the phone is only available online and via telesales until it launches in store on November 13^th.

The Sprint Product Ambassador Team