Twisted Pair has introduced an application that turns BlackBerry smartphones into push-to-talk devices.

Using its IP-based WAVE 5.0 group communications software platform, which has been engineered to connect disparate communications networks, Twisted Pair is enabling BlackBerry users to "tune" their mobile devices to a WAVE-supported radio channel, enabling a PTT experience. The solution, called Mobile Communicator for BlackBerry, is aimed at government workers, those in surveillance and intelligence, hotel and warehouse workers who don't require a ruggedized handset but have a need for PTT capabilities.

"As the capabilities of smartphone devices have advanced, our customers and partners have asked us to extend the WAVE software technology platform to better leverage the utility and cost-advantages of these devices, " said Tom Guthrie, president and CEO of Twisted Pair in a press release. "With WAVE 5.0, we've responded with a platform that allows users to securely extend the scope of their legacy radio systems with WAVE smartphone clients. This enables our partners to develop a wide variety of clients as enhancements to their WAVE-powered products and solutions."

Mobile Communicator for BlackBerry uses WAVE Thin Client technology to create a new architecture for radio communications across cellular and WiFi networks, the company said. It can be used to communicate on a WAVE channel in the same way as other WAVE endpoints--meaning, similar to a two-way radio as part of a larger radio network, the company said. It can also be used to make secure, point-to-point calls between two devices across any network, regardless of whether that user is in or off a radio network grid.

The solution consists of the WAVE engine that is hosted on an enterprise's IP server and a thin client. Additional smartphone applications are being designed and will be available for use on the iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android and others by Twisted Pair and its ecosystem of partners, the company said.

For more:
- see this release

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