Nextel offering Java-enabled phones

Nextel, is offering four new phones with technology that allows users to take their favorite Java programs from a PC and download them wirelessly onto their phones, according to a Nextel news release.

Providing secure wireless connections between the Internet-ready phones and corporate enterprise, Java-enabled phones leverage wireless services that deliver a mix of business communications options in one handset, including digital cellular, two-way radio, two-way messaging and wireless Web services.

The phones also offer speakerphone capabilities for hands-free talking; voice-activated dialing; a voice recorder; built-in phonebook and date book; caller ID; speed dial, one-touch dialing for pre-programmed numbers; quick storage of phone numbers in a personal directory; last 20 numbers received/sent list; missed call indicator and 3-Way calling. The new Nextel Java-enabled phones are the Internet i50sx, i85s, i90c and i80s.

Nextel also manufactures a full-sized portable keyboard for a wireless phone.

The Motorola iBoard fits in a pocket and folds out to a full-size laptop keyboard for composing e-mail messages, managing address books and calendars, and using Java.

It works with Nextel's Java-enabled phones and provides unique function keys to optimize Internet-ready phone operations, including accessing Nextel Wireless Web services, launching applications such as datebook and notepad, activating the speakerphone, turning off the phone and adjusting phone volume. The iBoard, first introduced this fall, folds from a full size 13 1/2-by-5 inches to 3 1/2-by-5 inches.