Sprint Direct Connect Android App Now Available On Google Play

Following up on a previous report from earlier this year with the first details on Sprint Direct Connect’s expansion as an Android app, the app itself is now available on Google Play. However, the app is only fully compatible with one Sprint Android phone at the moment in the recently released Kyocera Rise mid-range smartphone with the LG Optimus Elite being added in time.

The setup instructions for the app follow below and as expected, require a firmware update to enable expanded coverage for the service as well as an update for proper functionality, as the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 and 8960 are currently the only chipsets that natively support the new app.

Setting up your device:
1. Verify your phone software is up to date. Settings > System Update > Update Software (See compatible phones section below for version numbers)
2. Download the Sprint Direct Connect Now app from Google Play.
Signing up for Service:
3. Sign in to your account at sprint.com.
4. Select “Change my services” from the “Manage this device” dropdown menu on the “My account” Tab.
5. Select Unlimited Direct Connect and Group Connect under Push-to-Talk add-ons.

Features:
• 1-to-1 Direct Connect Calls
• Interoperable with Nextel Direct Connect phones for 1 to 1 calls
• Group Connect Calls up to 20 participants – Use “select multiple” from application contacts list to create on the fly group calls
• Send Call Alerts to notify others you want to talk without interrupting
• Synchronizes contacts with your devices address book
• Create favorites for your most contacted Direct Connect contacts

Compatible Phones:
• Kyocera Rise

The availability of the app signals the quiet expansion of Sprint Direct Connect to non-dedicated hardware after months of development and dovetails with the most recent work as a result of the still ongoing Network Vision expansion and reconfiguration project which is supposed to improve coverage and data performance and is expected to be completed next year to coincide with the completion of its LTE network.