Sprint announced the launch of two new Nextel Direct Connect devices, the Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700. Both devices still offer the direct connect features Nextel customers have come to depend on, but these two handsets are powered by Qualcomm’s QChat technology, and run over the Sprint portion of Sprint Nextel’s network.

Both phones are available to enterprise customers through the Sprint direct sales force in Kansas and Colorado.

Along with Direct Connect, these two new handsets also include Sprint’s mobile Broadband service and its expanded calling areas; the new handsets can still walkie-talkie with any of the millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers nationwide.

“Efficient work and social groups rely heavily on instant connections with each other, and QChat continues to deliver on this gold standard of push-to-talk connectivity on Sprint’s Now Network,” said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint, in a statement.

Along with push-to-talk Direct Connect service, the slim, clamshell Sanyo Pro-200 includes Bluetooth and mobile e-mail; its available for $50 from Sprint with a 2-year service agreement. The Sanyo Pro-700 is a rugged handset certified to military standards for dust, shock and vibration; it also includes Bluetooth and mobile e-mail. It’s available for $70 with a 2-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

Sprint says it plans to expand availability of these and more QChat-enabled Direct Connect handsets in additional markets and channels through the remainder of 2008.