Business users have long been aware of the merits of Nextel's i1000plus phone from Motorola, which, like its Nextel brethren, features a speakerphone and a built-in two-way radio (Direct Connect) for talking to other Nextel users in your workgroup. In 2000, wireless Web access was added, making this model more versatile than ever, even as it enters its third year on the market. However, the phone still suffers from poor battery life, which is the biggest knock against it.
Business casual
The 5-ounce i1000plus is the only flip phone available from Nextel. While it may not be very compact (1.2 by 2.2 by 4.5 inches), it fits easily in a pocket or purse, though many people choose to carry it clipped to a belt. Features inherent in its original design include the integrated speakerphone, a 4- to 6-line backlit display (depending on settings), three-way calling capability, and one-touch dialing. It also has the ability to recall the last ten numbers sent or received and to store contact names and numbers in the phone book with just a touch of a button.
If you're at all familiar with Nextel's service, you've probably heard about its walkie-talkie feature, which goes by the name Direct Connect. This allows users in predefined workgroups to talk among themselves just as they would with a two-way radio (range is limited to your home market area). No numbers are dialed (just press a button), and instead of being charged by the minute, users are charged by the second, which should help save some dough.
Two buttons on the front of the phone control the i1000plus's modes, and the phone can be operated without pulling up the flip since the i1000plus has a see-through window that lets you view the LCD screen at all times. Select Phone from the menu to make calls, Private or Group Direct Connect to use the two-way radio feature, or Net to launch the microbrowser and surf the wireless Web. Users can scroll through predefined categories and check sports scores, weather, or stock quotes (among other things) using the two buttons on the side of the phone. As expected, Nextel has easy access to more business-oriented WAP sites such as MyDocsOnline, eCompare Shipping, and ConvertIt.com.
Same old battery story
As for battery life, it pales in comparison to that of today's models. The talk time isn't terrible: Motorola rates it 180 minutes, though we managed to get only 150 minutes. However, standby time is downright disconcerting: We managed only 24 hours (it's rated at 28 hours). On a more positive note, we were generally impressed with the phone's call quality using Nextel's iDEN 800MHz TDMA network.
So what's this all add up to? Well, when the i1000plus first came out two years ago, it was cutting edge. Today, it's less so. But with a two-for-the-price-of-one cost of $199, it's still an attractive phone for corporate users who can benefit from Nextel's Direct Connect feature. However, those who want the latest and greatest should look at Nextel's newest models, the i85s and i50sx, which are Java-enabled.
