Fancy Having a Walkie-Talkie? Verizon Adds Push-to-Talk Feature to Android Phones

[dgstorm]

It looks like Verizon wants to share their new push-to-talk (walkie-talkie style) technology to more customers. They have added the feature/service to a number of Android devices.

Obviously this tech works better for small businesses, but its applications could be handy elsewhere as well. Big Red is offering a free six-month trial for the service which will eventually cost $5 per month. Here's a quote with the full details,

Many businesses work in a fast-paced world where plans change frequently or new information needs to be shared among groups. Being able to communicate instantly -- with a push of a button -- while also having access to a 4G LTE network is key for employers and business owners.

Push to Talk Plus is now available for Verizon Wireless customers, with enhancements such as improved voice quality and faster call set up time, on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. The service is powered by Kodiak Networks, a global industry leader in push-to-talk platforms.

Hosting a conference call with employees and attempting to speak to more than 30 other people can be frustrating. Push to Talk Plus has a Talker Priority feature that allows the initiator to override a group call and be the only speaker everyone hears. Leaders can take control of the call and help maintain efficiency across the team.

There may be times where an employee cannot join a group call the moment it begins, which could lead to miscommunication. The Late Join feature on Push to Talk Plus lets that person join the group call late so they aren’t missing the whole conversation. And theRejoin feature lets people drop and rejoin ongoing group calls, an option that comes in handy for those busy workers who may need to quickly speak to a client during a group call. Users also have the option to use Push to Talk over Wi-Fi.

Push to Talk Plus is available on smartphones including: DROID MAXX, Samsung Galaxy S 5, Casio G’zOne Commando 4G LTE and others. It will be available soon on additional devices, such as the ruggedized Kyocera Brigadier.

Enterprise customers can contact their B2B sales representative to add Push to Talk Plus to their account. When the feature is added to a customer’s account, they will receive a text message prompting them to download the Push to Talk Plus app.

For a limited time, customers who add Push to Talk Plus to their account will receive a credit for the first six months of service. After six months, $5 monthly access fee applies.

For information on use cases for Push to Talk Plus in the enterprise and government space, visit the Verizon Enterprise Solutions news center. ~ Verizon

 

[grenefroggie]

Gosh darn hipsters.

I guess someone has to replace the PTT market Nextel served. For construction workers at the company my uncle works at, they depended on PTT because it was more reliable than two-way radios.

Pretty neat indeed, but is it all software? Or are they like Nextel phones and have PTT hardware!?

 

[Vepaot]

Aren't there already a number of apps like this?

 

[xeene]

There are, but they aren't convenient as they are apps. You have to turn on phone, turn on app, select contact, talk. Compared to walkie talkie they lose big.

 

[grenefroggie]

Aren't there already a number of apps like this?

Also having an app by itself for a deployment that large will not likely to be robust enough to support the user base. Having dedicated hardware and services on the carrier's network will make the experience better.