Orange launches push-to-talk

Sep 03 2004 - 11:52 AM ET | Push-to-talk
Orange yesterday launched Talk Now, a push-to-talk service. While quite common in the US (Verizon Wireless, Nextel, Sprint PCS all have it), this is a first* for Europe. Features include: * Instant one-to-one and one-to-group calling as well as "silent" mode * "Availability" icon so customers know who is available to use Talk Now * First Talk Now Handset vendors: Alcatel, LG, Nokia, PalmOne and Sagem * Nine months of trials with companies across Europe In the UK, the service will initially be available on the Treo 600. * The company is calling Talk Now the first "advanced" push-to-talk system in Europe. It was not mentioned how Talk Now is advanced.