Most of the ruggedized phones on Sprint are Iden phones on the legacy Nextel network, which Sprint is shutting down over the next couple years. Generally, the ruggedized phones haven't sold well, and have been a replaced by a standard phones in ruggedized cases such as those made by Otterbox.
This is not true. Kyocera has three dumb phones and Motorola has their Admiral (Android); all of these phones run on Sprint's 3G network (not iDEN) and are military spec. These phones would work perfectly with ting.
The problem may be that most of these phones are built to support direct connect (big fat button on the side). If ting can't support direct connect then perhaps these phones wouldn't be a good fit. Would be awesome if direct connect could be supported (as an extra; I realize most consumers wouldn't use it).
I manage phones for my business and definitely need rugged phones that can withstand dust and falls. So would definitely like to see rugged phones offered by ting. We are currently using old iDEN phones and so will have to upgrade within a year; would be awesome to see rugged ting phones with direct connect :)
I don't have anything to report at the moment, but I do hear that we have at least one ruggedized device coming. Hopefully we'll have some more to comunicate in the next month or so.
My husband really wants to switch to Ting to enjoy all the benefits, but he is reluctant to let go of his current phone a Casio Cammando. He likes having a smartphone but really likes that he can take it hunting and fishing without worry. If you offer a rugged device you would get his business!
This is important! I have a family plan, and more than one member of my family won't switch until there's a rugged device available. Sprint has many models that aren't iDEN phones. Hook us up!
We are hoping to offer a rugged device later this year. Unfortunately, we do not have any more info at this time, but we will certainly keep you posted through our device updates. Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
As soon as Ting offers a ruggedized smart phone, like the Kyocera Torque, I will switch to Ting. I'm quite happy to be an early adopter and report regularly on how the device is working and not working.
More rugged phones, please. I mean REAL rugged, not just phones with more padding, and fake MIL-STD-810G 'certification'. I realize the demand isn't huge, but a lot of us really need these. And some of us actually like them, too.
Hi Beau, we'll be adding the Kyocera DuraXT which we feel is a solid military grade phone. By no means are we done adding. Thanks for your feedback and keep an eye out on our blog for more.
The Kyocera DuraXT is a good 'ruggedized' phone, no doubt, but it will not stand up to extreme conditions (ask me how I know). Kyocera takes much liberty in their presentation of the XT as being 'military certified', which is not technically true. While relatively robust, they are only marginally tougher than ordinary flip phones. These phones are not certified to meet the full Mil-std-810F, and definitely not the G spec. What I'm hoping that Ting will do is bring in the truly rugged phones out there, such as the Sonims, the Casios, and the Duraplus. I"m not asking for all of them, just at least one that is truly rugged. No need for a camera. There are a lot of people out there that use these phones, but are stuck with the big carriers because that is all they have available to them. These guys are a very different group than the smartphone group. They NEED these types of phones, and will continue to use them for the long term. Give them the phones they need, and they will be yours, and they'll never look back.
I brought up the Duraplus because it is a Sprint phone, so I assume that it has the greatest possibility for inclusion. It's important to understand the difference between something that the manufacturer represents as rugged, and a phone that truly is rugged. You cannot rely on the press releases to make that distinction.
I do appreciate what Ting is about, and I also appreciate the company's willingness to interact with its customers. It is most refreshing. This is what draws me to Ting. Keep up the good work. Thank you for soliciting input from us.
Officially we are not allowed to activate used "Push To Talk" devices under the BYOSD (https://ting.com/devices/bring) program. Having said that, we are aware that some customers have successfully been able to do this. We are working with Sprint to overcome this limitation. I hope that helps!
Please get the Kyocera DuraXT or Torque working, I don't really care about the PTT.. I'd rather have that button do nothing or activate the LED as a flashlight anyway.. Getting by for now with an old Sanyo Taho and waiting patiently...
Comments
Most of the ruggedized phones on Sprint are Iden phones on the legacy Nextel network, which Sprint is shutting down over the next couple years. Generally, the ruggedized phones haven't sold well, and have been a replaced by a standard phones in ruggedized cases such as those made by Otterbox.
This is not true. Kyocera has three dumb phones and Motorola has their Admiral (Android); all of these phones run on Sprint's 3G network (not iDEN) and are military spec. These phones would work perfectly with ting.
The problem may be that most of these phones are built to support direct connect (big fat button on the side). If ting can't support direct connect then perhaps these phones wouldn't be a good fit. Would be awesome if direct connect could be supported (as an extra; I realize most consumers wouldn't use it).
I manage phones for my business and definitely need rugged phones that can withstand dust and falls. So would definitely like to see rugged phones offered by ting. We are currently using old iDEN phones and so will have to upgrade within a year; would be awesome to see rugged ting phones with direct connect :)
Hey folks,
I don't have anything to report at the moment, but I do hear that we have at least one ruggedized device coming. Hopefully we'll have some more to comunicate in the next month or so.
-Ben
If you are looking for ruggedized phones feel free to vote for this request and add your comments. It helps us gauge demand.
My husband really wants to switch to Ting to enjoy all the benefits, but he is reluctant to let go of his current phone a Casio Cammando. He likes having a smartphone but really likes that he can take it hunting and fishing without worry. If you offer a rugged device you would get his business!
This is important! I have a family plan, and more than one member of my family won't switch until there's a rugged device available. Sprint has many models that aren't iDEN phones. Hook us up!
I agree also
We are hoping to offer a rugged device later this year. Unfortunately, we do not have any more info at this time, but we will certainly keep you posted through our device updates. Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
As soon as Ting offers a ruggedized smart phone, like the Kyocera Torque, I will switch to Ting. I'm quite happy to be an early adopter and report regularly on how the device is working and not working.
+1
A rugged phone would be great.
More rugged phones, please. I mean REAL rugged, not just phones with more padding, and fake MIL-STD-810G 'certification'. I realize the demand isn't huge, but a lot of us really need these. And some of us actually like them, too.
Hi Beau, we'll be adding the Kyocera DuraXT which we feel is a solid military grade phone. By no means are we done adding. Thanks for your feedback and keep an eye out on our blog for more.
The Kyocera DuraXT is a good 'ruggedized' phone, no doubt, but it will not stand up to extreme conditions (ask me how I know). Kyocera takes much liberty in their presentation of the XT as being 'military certified', which is not technically true. While relatively robust, they are only marginally tougher than ordinary flip phones. These phones are not certified to meet the full Mil-std-810F, and definitely not the G spec. What I'm hoping that Ting will do is bring in the truly rugged phones out there, such as the Sonims, the Casios, and the Duraplus. I"m not asking for all of them, just at least one that is truly rugged. No need for a camera. There are a lot of people out there that use these phones, but are stuck with the big carriers because that is all they have available to them. These guys are a very different group than the smartphone group. They NEED these types of phones, and will continue to use them for the long term. Give them the phones they need, and they will be yours, and they'll never look back.
I brought up the Duraplus because it is a Sprint phone, so I assume that it has the greatest possibility for inclusion. It's important to understand the difference between something that the manufacturer represents as rugged, and a phone that truly is rugged. You cannot rely on the press releases to make that distinction.
I do appreciate what Ting is about, and I also appreciate the company's willingness to interact with its customers. It is most refreshing. This is what draws me to Ting. Keep up the good work. Thank you for soliciting input from us.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We are working on it...
Would a used Duraplus be of interest?
Thanks again!
Sure, if it can work with Ting, I'm there.
Thank you
Officially we are not allowed to activate used "Push To Talk" devices under the BYOSD (https://ting.com/devices/bring) program. Having said that, we are aware that some customers have successfully been able to do this. We are working with Sprint to overcome this limitation. I hope that helps!
Please get the Kyocera DuraXT or Torque working, I don't really care about the PTT.. I'd rather have that button do nothing or activate the LED as a flashlight anyway.. Getting by for now with an old Sanyo Taho and waiting patiently...
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