Sprint has just announced that, starting July 13, four of its Push-to-Talk (PTT) devices - which work on the Nextel Direct Connect network - will be available in 14 new US markets. The handsets are Samsung Z400, LG LX400, Sanyo PRO-700 and Sanyo PRO-200, all of them being clamshells. Already available in 46 regions across the US, the phones, which leverage on the QChat technology, can offer Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services and the benefits of Sprint's Mobile Broadband.

"Sprint customers value the ability to connect instantly, and we're excited to offer these new phones to customers in more cities and states across the country. In addition to delivering instant push-to-talk connectivity, these new phones also add the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint's largest voice calling area so customers can do even more, faster," stated Danny Bowman, president of Nextel Direct Connect for Sprint.

The new markets where the above-listed PTT phones will be available are:

- Phoenix, Arizona;

- Upper Central Valley, California;

- East Kentucky;

- Maine;

- Minnesota;

- Missouri;

- New Hampshire;

- Central Upstate New York;

- East Upstate New York;

- Buffalo, N.Y.;

- Rochester, N.Y.;

- Utah;

- Norfolk, Virginia;

- Vermont.

The most expensive of the four PTT clamshells is the rugged Samsung Z400, which costs $99.99 with a two-year contract agreement. The Z400 meets the 810F military specification for dust, shock and vibration, while at the same time featuring a 1.3 Megapixel camera, Web browser, email, Bluetooth and Sprint Navigation.

Sanyo PRO-700 is another rugged device, coming for $79.99 with a contract for two years and offering features similar to the ones packed in the Z400. The other Sanyo, PRO-200, is not rugged, and it comes for only $49.99 (with the two-year contract agreement, of course).

Like the Sanyo PRO-700, LG LX400 is priced at $79.99 and features noise reduction technology, a 1.3 Megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS and so on.

Later this year, Sprint will offer all the four handsets in other US markets too.