Sprint announces Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700, Nextel Direct Connect devices

Sprint announced two new Nextel Direct Connect devices – the Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700. Powered by Qualcomm’s QCHat technology, these arguably nice looking clamshells feature Direct Connect, Group Connect, call alerts, single number option, DC permissions, Sprint Mobile Sync, EV-DO Rev. A support, mobile mail and Bluetooth.

Both devices will hit select Sprint sprint store later this month. The Sanyo Pro-200 will retail for $49.99, while more rugged Pro-700 model could be yours for $69.99. That’s with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate, of course… Full release is available after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE – Sprint announced the upcoming launch of two new Nextel Direct Connect devices, the Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700. These new Nextel Direct Connect devices will expand the reach of the industry-leading Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk (PTT) service and will incorporate the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint’s largest voice calling area. These new devices are expected to be available for purchase through the Sprint direct sales force in limited markets later this month, giving customers a wider selection of phones to instantly meet their productivity needs with connection in less than one second to millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers.

“Sprint customers rely on Nextel Direct Connect for instant communication at the push of a button, allowing them to do more, faster,” said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint. “Now Sprint is giving customers the ability to be even more productive with the industry-leading performance of Nextel Direct Connect, plus the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and a larger voice calling area. Sprint is proud to build on the 15-year leadership of Nextel Direct Connect with this exciting evolution of the portfolio, featuring the sub-second connectivity to millions of users that our customers depend on.”

Service Features

Powered by Qualcomm’s QChat technology, these new Nextel Direct Connect devices will continue to provide industry-leading performance, while operating on the Rev. A portions of the Sprint Mobile Broadband network (except in Puerto Rico). Compared to other providers, Sprint’s expanded Nextel Direct Connect portfolio will continue to offer significantly faster call set-up times of less than one second and one-to-one interoperability with the world’s largest established push-to-talk community. Features available on these handsets will continue to include:

• Direct Connect: Instant one-to-one push-to-talk communication that is interoperable with the millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers. Direct Connect provides the call set-up times of less than one second that customers have come to rely on to boost productivity and save time and money.
• Group Connect: Unique one-to-many capability of Group Connect that helps customers quickly communicate with up to 20 other Nextel Direct Connect users accessing the same QChat technology all at once. Group Connect groups can be created and managed dynamically on the device or online. At this time, not all devices in the Nextel Direct Connect suite of services are capable of offering interoperable Group Connect services.
• Call Alerts: Subscribers will continue to be able to send a repeating PTT Alert to let another Nextel Direct Connect subscriber know they are trying to reach them.

In addition, with these new devices, customers will have the ability to take advantage of Sprint’s largest voice calling area and the blazing data speeds of Sprint Mobile Broadband. Sprint Mobile Broadband brings customers instant gratification so they can get what they want when they want it, with ultra-fast file downloads, Web browsing, email access and more. The vast majority of Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network has been upgraded to EV-DO Rev. A technology, providing users ultra-fast speeds on the nation’s largest mobile broadband network (based on covered square miles). The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 242 million people, 15,325 cities and 1,452 airports.

Other new features exclusive to the new Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 phones will include:

• Single number option: If they wish, most customers can choose the simplicity of having one phone number for voice and push-to-talk calls on the Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700. If preferred, all Nextel Direct Connect subscribers can opt to have a separate Direct Connect number.
• DC Permissions: Customers will have the ability to block/allow incoming one-to-one push-to-talk calls and Call Alerts with the Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 phones.
• PTT Missed Call Notification: – When on a Nextel Direct Connect call, customers will receive a notification if they miss a push-to-talk call, Call Alert or Group call.
• Call Alerts with Text: With the new Call Alerts with Text feature, customers can attach one of several preset text messages, such as “Please stop by,” to Call Alerts sent to other Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 users.
• Sprint Mobile Sync: This easy-to-use online tool lets customers manage all of their contact information online, including setting up groups for PTT and text/voice messaging. Additionally, this feature automatically synchronizes with the phone, allowing for easier entry, easier access and full secure backup of contacts. Contacts will automatically transfer if the customer moves to another Sprint Mobile Sync-capable device.

Nextel Direct Connect on these new phones will be offered at existing service prices. Unlimited Direct Connect is included at no additional charge in many Sprint pricing plans, including the new $99 Simply Everything plan, which also includes unlimited Group Connect and unlimited calling, messaging and data. For more information on Simply Everything plans, please visit: www.sprint.com/everything.