V950 is the first Motorola to feature the QChat direct connect service which utilizes Sprint’s EV-DO Rev. A network instead of Nextel’s iDEN. The new V950 is rugged device, yet packed with multimedia features, with touch-sensitive music controls on the front shell, below the external display. It has 2-megapixel camera with LED flash, Bluetooth and microSD slot.
Motorola, the patron saint of iDEN, is departing its own safety net in preparation for the imminent launch of Sprint’s next-gen push-to-talk network based on EV-DO Rev. A and Qualcomm’s QChat technology. The V950 flip — unannounced, save for an FCC mention — appears to maintain some elements of the ruggedness its iDEN line is famous for, but by the same token, there’s a certain… shall we say, CDMA-ness that undeniably exudes from the new piece. There’s a camera, external music controls, and microSD expansion, too, so it’s clear that Sprint won’t just be targeting this one at the construction worker types. No word on a release date, but the first volley of QChat-enabled devices should be launching any minute now, so we could theoretically see this in the next few weeks.
