Verizon BB Tour gets PTT feature March 30

Verizon started off its week by adding push-to-talk support to the BlackBerry Tour. It gives those both using regular BlackBerry Internet Service as well as the Enterprise Serve the option of talking instantly with as many as 50 other PTT phone users. They can similarly check availability in software and manage contacts online for the entire group.

Like with all Verizon phones that support the technology, the BlackBerry uses the 3G connection to make the link rather than iDEN, as most of Sprint's Nextel phones do today.

The addition keeps the same phone number for both regular and PTT calls. Verizon starts activating the feature on the Tour starting March 30th and, initially, will make it available for anyone with qualifying voice and data plans. Carrier officials haven't said if or when they expect to start charging an extra fee for the new capability.

By Electronista Staff