RIM to add PTT to BlackBerry

RIM has just made a deal with Kodiak Networks to add Push-to-Talk capabilities to their BlackBerry series of handhelds. The service is expected to hit Cingular very soon.

Kodiak plans to offer improved versions of the PTT service offered by Nextel by allowing the users to switch between regular and PTT calls and also a conference call option between the two. They also plan to integrate call waiting and presence checking features to the service.

The BlackBerry series of handhelds were always intended to be for the corporate segment, but they didn't have Push-to-Talk support. With more enterprises picking up the devices in bulk, Push-to-Talk will offer the customers more convenience in team-based communication.