Motorola i88s Phone (Nextel)

Featuring mobile messaging, wireless Web capabilities, and an internal GPS position locater, the Motorola i88s is an excellent choice for both business and personal use. And of course, it supports Nextel's legendary Direct Connect walkie-talkie functions so you can connect with people in your work and personal network at the push of a button. It's the perfect rugged companion to a rough and tumble day.

Design
Like other Nextel phones, the i88s is built tough for construction and utilities industry users, or for anyone who needs a rugged wireless phone. The i88s' candybar design features a black and white, backlit LCD that displays time, call information, battery and signal strength, emails, address book entries, wireless web content and more. The trademark Direct Connect and menu scrolling functions can be controlled from the side of the phone. A standard 2.5mm headset jack is also provided, and a multi-directional selection button controls most of the phone's user-friendly menus and options.

Calling Features
The i88s' built-in address book can store up to 250 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. A vibrating alert can be set when you want to receive calls and messages in quiet or very loud situations. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. The phone supports up to 20 voice dialing contacts. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Lastly, the phone lets you choose from pre-set or custom profiles to instantly change over 10 settings for different surroundings.

One of the key features of any Nextel phone is support for Nextel's Direct Connect walkie-talkie technology. The i88s fully supports the service, which allows for one-touch conversations with anyone else on a Nextel phone. It's like a having a CB radio with enough range to cover all of North America.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The i88s features support for two-way mobile-to-mobile or mobile-to-email text messaging (Nextel messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet anywhere is easy with the i88s, as well. Nextel's optional Nextel Online package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Nextel Online also features games, realtime news and sports updates, virtual address books, and more-- all delivered to your Nextel phone.

The i88s ships with a calendar application that lets you book meetings, plan events, and set alarms that will automatically turn on the phone if needed. There's also a voice recording application that lets you record up to three minutes of audio. A time and date clock are included, as is a GPS location function that can pinpoint your location via latitude and longitude.

Entertainment
The phone runs Java-powered applications including a calculator and a Sega game, and you can also download other applications online using iDen Update, a download service provided on Motorola's web site. Personalizing the phone is simple with multiple ring tones, adjustable screen font sizes and rearrangeable phone menu options.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola i88s weighs 4.80 ounces and measures 5.16 x 1.97 x 1.14 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 2.75 hours of digital talk time, and up to 75 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the IDEN 800 frequency. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Motorola i88s handset, standard lithium-ion battery, standard battery door, AC charger, user's manual.

1 Pretty Good Phone
The i88s is one of our lightest phones, but comes heavy with features. You'll enjoy One Touch Direct Connect, Voice Activated Dialing, and a customizable main menu. You can't go wrong with this versatile and affordable selection. But had ordered it off of Nextels site. They even gave me a code that saved me $50.00. Here it is for you all to share (CL897L) case sensitive. On the shopping cart page. It is like an invoice thing. But I think it is a very good choice. You will enjoy the phone.

2 Great quality, but very outdated
This was a fantastic phone 3 years ago, and while it still has that high level of quality that makes Motorola so great, it is very outdated at this point. Without a color screen, a camera, a calculator or calander, this phone isn't good for much more beyond calling people. It has a strong signal with great audio quality, but it doesn't even have any games (oh no!) So while I wouldn't be too hasty to get rid of this phone if it still serves you well, I also wouldn't run out and buy this phone new.

3 Works Great with Book Scouting Tool - BookGecko!
Hi, I use this phone with BookGecko to check prices of books, cds, movies, tools and more. It works wonderfully!

4 One of the Best for Phones Business Data Usage
We have 3 i88s phones, and have equipped them with a barcode scanner. Our ScoutPal.com service is used by hundreds of Amazon sellers (bookscouts) and this phone is one of the most popular ones among ScoutPals. Although it is larger than many consumer-oriented cell phones, its rugged and easy to use keypad makes it perfect for business use, as with ScoutPal where with the i88s you can punch in ISBNs and UPCs one-handed. It also has a fairly large no-nonsense up to 12 line display. Nextel service has been very strong and reliable for us, we have used our i88s phones throughout the major Metro areas of WA OR CA NV AZ NM TX CO UT and ID.

Other users comments about the charger connection are correct, you have to be careful as the charger cord terminal end is somewhat fragile. But the phone itself is extremely rugged.

No, you won't get fancy ringtones and full-color movies on this phone, but you will get the facts, just the facts!

5 pretty good except for size
I haven't had any problems with this phone since I bought it last October. It has good reception in my area (whereas other Nextel phones, including my family's have not). I am however upgrading my phone even though I have not had it for more than four months. My reasons: mainly the size. The phone is quite large and awkward. The i88s is also not capable of downloading ringtones (and I find the defaulted ringtones on the phone very distracting because they sound just like other phones. When my phone rings, at least one other person always looks for their phone to make sure it isn't theres.). Other than that, this is an excellent phone