I always wondered why cell phones didn't have an optional walkie talkie transceiver functionality. No, not the boost mobile "walkie talkie" that uses the cell phone network. Something like FRS or GMRS for short ranged use (depending on terrain) when cell networks were down, overloaded, or not available. Or, for that matter, why they didn't pick up AM/FM and NOAA weather reports, but that's another topic

After all, it shouldn't be difficult to integrate. Found out last night that motorola apparently has something like this on some of their phones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOTO_Talk

Apparently they can do direct cellphone to cellphone transmissions without using the cell network. It uses the 900 MHz band (microwave, like the cell phones use for tower communications), not FRS or GMRS, but it's still interesting especially if you're hiking with friends in areas where you don't get cell reception. Obviously the other users will also have to have a cell phone with this capability, which rather limits your choices.

Do any of you use this? What do you think, any utility?

Seems like it would have limited usage... more for construction job sites or maybe on a lake.

Some of the Motorola handsets for Nextel / Boost have the feature you mention. I don't remember the model numbers though.

That was something I always wondered. Cell phones offer an amazing number of features now, but there are so many basic features that many of them are missing that I would love to have in one device.

AM/FM/Shortwave radio, VHF/UHF TV signal, FRS/GMRS radio, GPS, Compass, flashlight, laser pointer, ect. Sure, these features may not be as good as carrying a dedicated device, but at least I would have them all in something I usually carry every day. Instead of having to carry 12 other devices that take up space.

It amazes me that I can easily find a phone that will tell me the lottery numbers for every state, but I can't find one with a built in am/fm radio.

Some have a compass and gps built in but cost more $$

You are correct, several Sprint / Nextel phones have this DirectTalk feature. My Nextel i880 has this feature.

To use it, you go into the menu to take the phone "off network". It reboots and then works in simplex mode to access the remote phone directly. It works the same as Nextel's Direct Connect feature so you get the little notification beep (although it sounds different) before the voice transmission.

Another nice feature is that you can select a channel / privacy code combination just like FRS radios to avoid unwanted traffic.

We used this in Yellowstone a couple of weeks ago and it worked quite well. We did not give it a through testing as it was used mostly for communications over open terrain approximately 500 - 600 yards away. In this application, it worked quite well.

Let me know if you need more info.

Craig.

My N97 has compass, GPS and FM radio. Plus local maps.

It doesn't have a torch as such, but it does have LED flash for its camera and I have an app which turns that into a torch. (This is really a backup to my backup because I also carry 2 proper torches. Also, the basic screen backlight is often enough light to navigate out of a building. The darker it is, the less light you need.)

I imagine that GMRS radio and similar walkie-talkie stuff would be resisted by the networks, because it would reduce their call revenue.

TV might be nice in an emergency, although I hope the FM radio will provide the essential information. During normal times, I can watch TV on the phone over the internet (via WiFi). It comes with dedicated iPlayer apps to make this easy.

It's not a cheap phone, but then I love my gadgets.