Direct Talk

[vzw4u]

We just got in our new line of phones and all of them come with Direct Talk. Great For Boating, Hiking, and Camping with the Family. I have been using the Direct Talk Feature at the Launch Ramp, don't have to mess with the marine radio anymore. We have Demo Phones if you want to take them for the weekend and try them on the lake. We have the new i850 with Direct Talk and a Camera for only $199.99. Just call Christa or John at 702-263-9393. We offer special pricing to all you boaters. www.conectus.com/hotboat

Here is the info from our website.....

Use the off-network walkie-tallkie to keep in touch with others even when you're far beyond wireless coverage or when regular phone lines are unavailable. Â*Communicate with others within up to six miles¹ using our Direct TalkSM capable phones.
Gear to Get It Done
One-phone convenience: All Direct TalkSM capable phones allow for three types of digital voice communication in one phone: cellular, Direct Connect® walkie-talkie service and Direct TalkSM off-network walkie-talkie.
Group calls: Choose from 10 channels and 15 codes to keep your entire team in touch even without network coverage - in the most remote work site or when landline and cellular service is busy, or down.
Private walkie-talkie: Just dial a nearby contact's Nextel phone number and have a private conversation using Direct TalkSM off-network walkie-talkie.
Acknowledgement tone: Nextel's trademark "chirp" lets you know if anyone is in your range and code/channel so you can feel confident someone heard your communication.
http://www2.hotboat.com/image_center/data/520/2418i850_l.gif

[PUMP 'HER']

Sounds pretty cool. Whats the range on the direct talk. Any info on whats going to happen with the Sprint deal? I know you went over it before but anything new?

[PUMP 'HER']

Crap I just saw it, 6 miles. Sorry, doh! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[vzw4u]

About 6 miles if there are no obstructions. I have been using mine quite a bit around town, usually can reach to about 3 miles. Here is the info on the merger...
SPRINT AND NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCE NEW
BRANDING AND LOGO TO BE USED BY COMBINED COMPANY

Broad market appeal of Sprint brand to lead combined company’s go-to-market presence;
Nextel to be prominently promoted as a product-line

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and RESTON, Va. ¯ June 23, 2005 ¯ Sprint (NYSE: FON) and Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTL) today announced details surrounding the brand strategy and logo to be used upon completion of the companies’ merger, expected in the third quarter of 2005, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. The new go-to-market brand name of the combined Sprint Nextel will be Sprint, with the Nextel name continuing as a key product brand.

The two companies announced their agreement to merge on Dec. 15, 2004, with a commitment to create America’s premier communications company –- offering a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline services to consumer, business and government customers.

“The companies are in the enviable position of possessing two incredibly valuable brands with overwhelming positive and powerful equity in the marketplace,� said Mark Schweitzer, designated Chief Marketing Officer for the new company and Nextel’s current senior vice president of marketing. “Our brand strategy and logo will integrate the most valuable assets of each company’s identity.�

The Sprint Master Brand
Given its broad market awareness and its history of innovation, the Sprint name was chosen as the lead go-to-market brand name for the new company. Combining the rich attributes of the Sprint brand with the entrepreneurial, instant-communications traits represented by highlighting Nextel’s presence in the product line offers strong positioning for the combined company. This approach was validated through consultation with research firms specializing in brand and name recognition, and with customers and employees, confirming Sprint’s consistent ratings as one of the most recognized communications brands in the United States. “The Sprint name, brand attributes and the sentiment they evoke in minds of consumers are relevant today and provide a great foundation for the future. The combination of these characteristics of the Sprint name with the infusion of Nextel’s professional-grade characteristics and key elements of the Nextel visual identity are consistent with what the new company aspires to be in the future,� said Schweitzer.

Nextel as a Product Brand
Nextel, which currently enjoys among the highest loyalty ratings with customers in the wireless industry, is synonymous with wireless business-oriented products and services such as Nextel’s instant, nationwide, digital walkie-talkie service. The combined company will employ the Nextel name as a product brand within the Sprint service portfolio for services provided on Nextel’s iDEN network. Solutions carrying the Nextel brand will be geared toward selected businesses, public-sector customers and those high-value individuals who have proven to be avid users of Nextel services.

The New Logo
Blending elements of Sprint’s signature “pin drop� – representing clarity – and Nextel’s bold yellow and black colors – which command attention – the new logo is a powerful symbol for the new Sprint as a forward-moving, energetic and dynamic brand. Additionally, in advertising, the new Sprint visual treatment will include the line, “Together with Nextel,� as a reminder of the equity of these two strong brands coming together as one. Separately, in advertising featuring Nextel products and services in the combined company’s markets, there will be a Nextel visual treatment that uses the current Nextel logo with the language “Together with Sprint.�

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series â„¢
The new company will be committed to its partnership with NASCAR and its more than 75 million fans. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series â„¢ will maintain its current series branding through 2006, and decisions regarding the series name and branding beyond that season are expected to be made prior to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season opener in 2006.