Sprint will begin selling the ruggedized Direct Connect capable Motorola Admiral on October 23rd

Coming October 23rd for $99 on a two year contract following a $50 MIR is the Motorola Admiral featuring Direct Connect technology as well as Android 2.3. In terms of specs, the Admiral features a 1.2GHz single-core processor, a 3.1 inch VGA touch screen display, front facing portrait QWERTY keyboard, and Sprint 3G. Unfortunately, it does not feature support for Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network. Since it is ruggedized, it is protected against dust, shock, vibration, low pressure, high temperatures, low temperatures, and solar radiation. The display is even scratch resistant thanks to Gorilla glass technology. Lastly, it boasts a 5MP rear facing camera with 720p video capture, and 4GB of onboard memory.

With Sprint Direct Connect technology, here are the features you can expect:

• Sprint Direct Connect – Instant, one-to-one push-to-talk calling nationwide on the Sprint network, with any other Direct Connect subscriber. Direct Connect is the core push-to-talk feature and is designed for interoperability
  across Sprint and Nextel network platforms.
• Guaranteed Talk Permit – The assurance that when you hear the push-to-talk “chirp” that your call was successfully transmitted.
• Call Alert with Text – Send an audio alert with an optional text message to let another Direct Connect subscriber know you are trying to reach them and why.
• Group Connect – Communicate with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers all at once – nationwide, at the push of one button.
• TeamDCSM – Communicate with up to 200 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers at the same time nationwide.
• NextMail – Send a recorded message to any email worldwide or mobile handset via text message by using the Direct Connect button.
• Availability Notification – Request the availability status of another push-to-talk member and, if they are busy, request a notification when they are free.

Again, you can begin purchasing the Motorola Admiral starting October 23rd for $99 on a two year contract.