Research In Motion has signed a licensing agreement with wireless-networking specialist Kodiak Networks that will allow the smart-phone manufacturer to support push-to-talk features on its devices.
Cingular Wireless is the first mobile-phone operator to support push-to-talk (PTT) service on RIM's BlackBerry Pearl, but deals with other carriers should be announced shortly, according to Tim Hall, vice president of strategic alliance for Kodiak Networks. Kodiak's PTT client will also be offered on other BlackBerry devices, he said.
PTT technology essentially converts a cell phone into a long-range walkie-talkie. Users can instantly start talking to another cell phone user who has PTT simply by pushing a button.
Nextel was one of the first carriers to offer this type of platform, but Kodiak says that it will differentiate itself by offering more sophisticated features.
As on most walkie-talkies, most PTT services operate on a single, or half-duplex, channel, which allows only one person to speak at a time. Kodiak offers a feature that allows PTT users to transfer, while in the middle of a PTT call, to a regular duplex-channel cell phone call, allowing all ends of the conversation to be heard simultaneously. One person making the switch from PTT to a regular cell call activates the switchover for everyone else on the call.
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