Nextel has been a highly renowned brand for those people who place a high importance on function. Many people who prefer to make use of Nextel services are those who need to perform certain functions that rely heavily on communication. True enough, this is the reason why the Motorola i850 has been a popular model for mobile phone users. Not only is it very affordable but it also provides for almost limitless communication through Nextel’s services. Through the Motorola i850, mobile phone users can not only avail of Nextel’s iDEN network but also its global positioning services.

The Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) was actually a project of Motorola. This network seeks to provide mobile phone users with a gadget that enables cellular and radio communication. Because this function is enabled in the Motorola i850, its users can not only make use of the regular cellular phone features but also communicate with their contacts almost as if using a two-way radio. This is enabled through its Push to Talk function which works even if the mobile phone is not within the coverage area. The Push to Talk function not only allows sending of short voice communications from one user to another but also allows communications within groups using just one push of a button. This way, there is no need for users to dial numbers and wait until the contact picks up the call. Users may send short voice transmissions that the other party will instantly receive.

One of the best features of this Push to Talk service is that it runs on a private line. Therefore, unlike two-way radios where other parties may tap other channels, you can ensure the privacy of your communication using the Motorola i850.

Also because of Nextel’s services, users of the Motorola i850 can send photos through its Direct Send service and send PTT as they are being received. This provides for a wide range of benefits depending on the function of the user.

Furthermore, Nextel provides the Motorola i850 with a Mobile Locator through its Global Positioning Services. Not only does this enable easy and accurate navigation, it also allows easy tracking for employers who wish to secure information on their employees’ location at any point in time.

Nextel provides all these services to the Motorola i850. Combining these services to an attractive design that is easy to use, there is no doubt as to why the Motorola i850 is a popular choice for mobile phone users.

Developed by Motorola, the Integrated Digital Enhanced Network combines trunked radio and cellular technology allowing fast push to talk communications, even among groups.

Trunked radio is a push to talk communications system that assigns channels automatically. Users are assigned to a common trunk channel each time they need to communicate with each other using this push to talk service while groups get their own channels. This technology is commonly seen with the two way radios used by fire and police departments.

Nextel provides services that emulate this trunked two-way radio system using your mobile phones. To communicate with another Nextel user, you just select another Nextel phone on your Motorola i850 and push a button and your voice is automatically heard on the other end. This eliminates having to dial a number and waiting for numerous rings before the person you’re calling finally picks up.

Nextel’s Group Connect Service, meanwhile, allows you to talk to a group of people all at the same time. In group conferences like this, each person takes their turn speaking by pushing the talk button on their mobile phone. This service allows you to communicate with 20 people nationwide at the same time. And with Nextel’s Unlimited International Walkie Talkie service you can talk to people in Canada, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Mexico.

This push to talk technology is also known as “walkie talkie mode” because it works similarly to walkie talkie radio sets. The key difference is that you are assigned your own private channel so other people can’t eavesdrop on your conversations. Furthermore, the range is significantly extended because of the use of a cellular network.

Apart from the Direct Connect and Group Connect Services, Nextel users also enjoy the Direct Send service. Using this service you can instantly send the pictures you’ve taken with your Motorola i850’s built in camera to your friends while you’re talking!

There are a whole lot of other mobile phones that are Nextel enabled. However, with the number of Motorola i850 units that have already been sold, it seems that this model is highly preferred. This is not surprising, though, because having Nextel’s PTT function contained in a sleek and classy clamshell is the main reason why it is the most popular.

The i850 measures 88 x 51 x 28 mm and weighs 120 grams. It’s a clamshell type model with an external extendable antenna. The included Lithium Ion battery can last for 2.75 hours of talk time, or 70 hours of standby time. The Motorola i850 has two LCD screens, the external one in monochrome blue display at 96 x 32 pixels. When flipped open, the inner LCD screen is 176 x 220 pixels and displays over 262,000 colors.

The phone is enabled with Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology from Motorola. iDEn allows users to enjoy the luxury of mobile phone calls, radio communication, pager and data/fax modem in one handheld device. The side of the unit has a PTT button for two-way radio communication. If there is no network available, i850 owners can use it as a walkie-talkie within a range of up to six miles. There is also a group connect feature, where one can use the walkie-talkie function and talk to 20 people all at the same time.

Messaging is not a hassle with the help of the i850. It is capable of Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) format. Text input becomes easier with an included T9 dictionary. The i850 also has a calendar and voice memo.

As your Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), the i850 has great phonebook organizing skills. It has a phonebook capacity of 600 entries, and each entry can have up to 7 contact numbers plus an email address. Each contact can be marked with picture ID, voice tag, and ringer ID. Calls can be made via voice dialing. The phone also has alert modes like polyphonic ring tones and vibrate mode. Custom ring tones can be added, as the i850 supports mp3, WAV, and MIDI format files.

The Motorola i850 has a 0.3 mega pixel camera with 4x zoom than can take photos at 640 x 480 pixel resolution. Photos captured on the camera can be used as wallpapers and screensavers, or attached to MMS messages. The camera has functions for adjusting light and photo quality, as well as a self-timer from 10 to 20 seconds. Files and photos can be sent to a personal computer (PC) with the PC sync feature. The i850 is also USB compatible.

For the fun lover, the Motorola i850 has built in Java games (Zuma, Aces Hold ‘Em, and Blockbreaker) and applications, but more can be downloaded. The phone package comes with stereo headsets so users can listen to songs on the i850. The inside LCD screen is also compatible for web browsing or watching live TV feeds, depending on the subscription.

It was released in the United States in the second half of 2005, with Nextel as the original service provider. Subscribers could avail of the i850 for a $300 two-year plan with the network. The phone is blessed with Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) capability, which Motorola pioneered. With the iDEN on the i850, users can have a two-way radio, alphanumeric pager, and data/fax machine, all on one phone. The advantage of iDEN is that it allows users to communicate, even when a cellular signal is unavailable. As the Motorola i850 has a push to talk (PTT) button, it can be a two-way radio for a range of six miles, depending on the terrain.

Can you imagine your old walkie-talkie with a digital camera on it? This walkie-talkie’s got it. The Motorola i850 has a 0.3 mega pixel camera mounted on its flip cover, with a small mirror for taking self portraits. The camera can zoom up to 4x, and has four resolution settings, from as large as 640 x 480 pixels, to as small as 128 x 96 pixels. Photos can be attached to Multimedia Message Service (MMS) templates or sent in emails. You can also sync up the i850 to your PC so you can transfer photos easily.

Can your old walkie-talkie play songs for you, or alert you when you have an important call? The Motorola i850 can. For caller alerts, there is a vibrate mode, plus polyphonic ring tones. You can customize the alert profiles with whatever mode you choose. Contact persons in the phonebook can be identified with picture ID or ring tone ID. The i850 also supports WAV, mp3, and MIDI formats of sound files, which you can play on the speaker or with included stereo headsets.

The Motorola i850 also comes with a colored LCD screen as the internal display. Its resolution is 176 x 220 pixels and can display 262,000 colors. You can view photos, watch video clips, browse websites, or have live TV feeds on the i850.

Here’s one more thing about the i850: you don’t need walkie-talkie AA batteries for it. The phone has a Lithium Ion battery that gives you talk time for 165 minutes, and stand by time for 70 hours.

Aren’t you glad Motorola came up with the i850? You’ve got PTT, SMS, MMS, email, voice memos, Java games, applications, calendar, customized wallpapers, polyphonic ring tones, and so much more. It works like a walkie-talkie, but it definitely can do much more than that. Don’t believe me? See the Motorola i850 for yourself.

The i850 is a small and compact clamshell phone measuring 3.46 in x 1.85 in x 1.14 in, not much bigger than a 24-stick pack of chewing gum. It weighs 4.32 ounces, and comes in a metallic graphite finish.

The Motorola i850 supports Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology, which originated from Motorola itself. With iDEN on your mobile phone, you can use it as a data/fax modem, alphanumeric pager, or two-way radio. One of the most talked about features of the i850 is its push to talk (PTT) option. The button is located on the side of the unit. With just the push of that button, users can communicate via walkie-talkie mode to other users within a six mile radius. The two-way radio works even when cellular signal is low or unavailable, and even if many users are using the radio at the same time.

Also, with just the push of a button, other tasks can be accomplished by the Motorola i850. It carries the push to send my contact and push to send my info feature. So phone numbers and other details can be sent to other i850 units with just the PTT button.

So the i850 can communicate well, but what about fun and entertainment? Of course, Motorola has something for everybody. Upon purchase, the i850 is installed with a web browser and Java games to boot. You can enjoy Zuma, Aces Hold’em, and BlockBreaker on your handheld device. The unit also has 1KTV, which gives subscribers access to live TV broadcasts for news, sports, and what not. Songs can also be played in clear quality on the i850, as it supports mp3, WAV, and MIDI files. You can playback your tunes over the speakerphone, or use headsets, which are sold separately. Additional songs and games can be downloaded straight to your mobile phone.

Don’t forget the digital camera on the flip cover! Yes, the i850 comes with a 0.3 mega pixel camera with 4x zoom, and it takes photos with VGA quality. Photos can be transformed in to screensavers, wallpapers, or attachments to MMS and email. You can even add a photo for every contact you have on your phonebook.

How well does the Motorola i850 fare when other electronic wireless devices are around? CNET reviewers and critics tested the two-way radio function when wireless equipment is within the range. Calls still sounded clear, and the i850 performed without interference.

Motorola has again done a good job with this model. After the release of this unit, the company still kept going and going with more ideas that astound us. Keep tuning in to the latest mobile news, you’ll never know what Motorola will think of next.