While I was exploring some of the new icons on the BlackBerry Bold 9650 from Verizon, I jumped into the Application Center and saw the Push to Talk. There was a decent amount of buzz about it when it was released, so I figured I'd download it and give it a shot. The feature has to be added to your account (at $5/month) and currently works on both the Tour 9630 and Bold 9650. I was pretty excited to fire it up, and since I'm not a big phone guy I thought I may get some good use out of it. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Verizon's idea of Push to Talk isn't what you would think. Its not a quick "press a button and send a message". Verizon actually connects you to the contact through a PTT "call" where you then push the left convenience key to record your message. From this point on the entire process was lost to me. I could just as easily call a contact and talk to them instead of calling them via PTT and having to press a button to talk to them.

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New to the CrackBerry app store is a cool app called Push2Talk. It does just what it says, providing two-way push to talk communication over BlackBerry devices. There have been a few attempts at this in the past (remember HipVoice?) and Verizon has even added the feature to the Tour 9630 and Bold 9650. The feature can be useful for a number of reasons, and $4.99, it's not going to break the bank.

Push2Talk installs on your device and has a simple interface. You can add contacts via PIN, and when accepted they instantly show in your contact list in the application. After you're up and running and have added a contact, just press the left convenience key and talk away. While the message isn't transmitted in real time, its pretty darn close. In tests it ran clear for the most part, with some messages getting clipped at the end (I found holding the key a bit after speaking helped this). There are a few downsides, the biggest of which is the app takes over the left convenience key. If you're on the homescreen and press the key, you'll be taken into the app (unfortunately there is currently no way to change this). Also, the messages are limited to 10 seconds or less which at first was kind of annoying, but once you get into it doesn't seem all that bad. There are two volume options and a message history (the app doesn't save messages, just shows a log) but no real settings after that. I didn't like the fact that the messages just start playing, and would have preferred an alert of sorts on the first message. Overall though Push2Talk is a pretty cool app that I'm sure some will find useful. For a one-time $4.99 fee its not a bad price if you have a good use for it. Hit the link below for more information.

• More information/download of Push2Talk >>

Just in case you were wanting to sign up for this $5/month unlimited service, you can now get your push to talk on through Verizon. The offering comes as an application which is currently available through the Verizon application centre. After downloading and installing, you'll still need to speak to Verizon to have the service fully added on but at least you'll have the app installed already.

• Make quick exchanges. - Push one button to contact team members or clients.
• Place group calls. - Hold conversations with as many as 50 total participants.
• Check team member status with Presence.- See who is available for a Push to Talk call.
• Manage contacts for the entire company online. - Add, delete and assign contacts, create groups and more.
• Use one number, one device. - Make and receive voice calls without needing a second device or phone number.
• Enjoy coast-to-coast coverage. - Connect on our nationwide broadband network, and get expanded coverage across the United States within the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area. 

As expected, business clients are being targeted with this service offering and it does come with a few caveats. First, you need a PTT enabled device. Secondly, if you are roaming the service will not work. All minor caveats mind you but still stuff you should be aware of.

• Check Out The Verizon Website For More Information On Push to Talk >>

We got our hands on a PDF from Big Red today and it looks like Push to Talk will definitely be coming to the BlackBerry Tour. We had heard rumors as the last few leaked OS versions surfaced (PTT files and alerts were included in the OS), and a few days ago some additional info popped up in the forums. My question (as I'm sure many of you are already thinking) is if this new service will finally bring the long awaited Tour OS update. Highlights of the PTT service as outlined in the document include:

• Connect with team members in the next room or across the country.
• Make group calls with up to 50 participants.
• Use Presence to see who's available for Push to Talk calls.
• Manage Push to Talk contacts for your entire company online.
• Access email and the Web while you're on Push to Talk calls.

Push to Talk will be available as a $5 add-on feature and should be official late this month or in early April. For more information, head to verizonwireless.com/ptt (although nothing noted about the Tour on that site just yet).

Yesterday, Boy Genius dropped some whispers hinting that the long awaited OS 5.0 update for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 was coming in the next 2-3 weeks and that it was also bringing a new Push To Talk feature. As it turns out, the files needed for that new data plan using push to talk features has been turning up in the past two OS leaks for Tour owners. And from info gathered in the forums, Verizon is seemingly not really trying hard to hide it from end users either.

As posted in the forums, some skilfull folks have found through the Verizon wap website you can actually find and attempt to add the services to your Verizon account. While at this point, the files and the addition to your account doesn't mean you can get it to work. It certainly puts weight behind the timelines given for push to talk and the rumored 9650 release.

• Check Out The CrackBerry Forums For More Information Where The Options Were Found>>