Nextel landed its first Google Android phone today with the Motorola i1. In true Nextel style, the i1 protects its touch-screen design with a rugged shell that meets military specifications for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, solar radiation, humidity, and salt fog. Judging from photo it doesn’t look like the prettiest Android device around, but it should withstand bumps and bruises.
The i1 Is the first Android handset with not only Direct Connect, but also Group Connect, International Direct Connect, Direct Talk, and Direct Send. Other features are plentiful. You’ll find a 5-megapixel camera with video recording, Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth, an Opera browser, GPS, e-mail, support for the standard Google applications, an accelerometer, a microSD card slot, a music player, and the ability view Office documents. Text input for messaging and e-mail is through a virtual keybaord with Swype technology.
The Moto i1 will be on display at CTIA 2010 in Las Vegas. We’ll be sure to give it a shake down and report back.