If you are on a large, modern trunked radio system or are building a new system now then you are likely to experience the Next Generation of Motorola radios. The current APX radios are all scheduled for End of life over the next 24 months. Their replacement is a super slick product line called APXNext. It’s Motorola at its finest. The APXNext line might be the product line that gives Motorola back its reputation of being the best as it was in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
APXNext is the next generation radio that is built like a smart device with the feal and functionality of a radio but with some technical integrations that rival some smart cellphones. Its almost a radio and phone in one but its not.
APXNext is a smart radio. It uses smart phone searching tech allowing users quick access to talk groups on radio systems that use 1024 or more groups. It has a built in AI that is called VIQI that quickly and almost seamlessly answers your questions and can double as an NCIC Dispatcher by searching databases for people’s identities faster than a human. VIQI can also glide you through the device menu’s quickly. APXNext offers its own line of essential product accessories such as a Heavy Duty wireless lapel microphone, Heavy duty, rugged IMPRESS II batteries and rugged holsters. APXNext comes in All band and single band as well. It appears to behave like a Sonim PTT Phone but uses a RF antenna.
Its built like a tank the question is can it perform like a commander? Motorola Inc. is betting it can. Since it is bricking the current APX line of product and throwing everything at APXNext. The question is, is APXNext just another radio or is it really a next generation communications tool? I can see some positivity with the VIQI AI and how that implementation could solve a common problem with under funded Police departments buy cutting out the extra dispatchers who work Info channels. But can VIQI completely remove the dispatcher too? What if all of your calls could be dispatched via SMS directly to your APXNext device? That would be something to hop around about. APXNext CAN receive SMS messaging so the possibilities are very real.
Radio performance is critical for effective mission-critical operations. Your users rely on their radios to be available and connected. You and your radio users count on the radio to operate at optimal efficiency. To help support the performance of your APX radio fleet and maximize the value of your investment, we offer a variety of services and tools for radio hardware and programming to meet your radio fleet needs.
The new 700 MHz rollout for the City of Dallas was delayed because Dallas had to repurchase radios. They also went with APXNext. The price of a single unit is unknown at this time but I’d wager on it being close to 5 grand.
How is APX NEXT programmed/provisioned?
Using LTE or pre-provisioned WiFi, radios are programmed and
from the APXNext product brochure
updated over-the-air, using Motorola’s new cloud based RadioCentral
provisioning tool. Codeplug and firmware updates get downloaded in
the background using LTE or WiFi. Once the download is complete,
users receive a notification prompt asking them if they’d like to install
the update now or later. Access to RadioCentral is included as part of
the Device Management Services.
Well that’s pretty cool, no more cable programming, radio downtime for shop visits and illegal cloning. Talk groups can quickly be added on the fly.
What is SmartConnect?
SmartConnect on APX NEXT maintains your voice communications when outside of LMR coverage by automatically switching between the P25 LMR and the LTE mobile phone network within seconds.
from the APXNext product brochure
Authentication, status, talk groups and encryption are all preserved – without interruptions or resets. The feature is also available on some other APX models; however, APX portables operate via pre-provisioned WiFi and APX mobiles operate via pre-provisioned WiFi and tethered LTE or satellite modems.
Well that’s a slick feature. When you drop out of repeater coverage you can roll back onto the LTE network. Let’s hope APXNext isn’t using Verizon Wireless for that. So the radio can operate on Cellular and Wi-Fi networks in addition to Radio frequency. This is pretty significant however pretty troubling as well. In a metro city this is great. In rural America this could be problematic considering the wireless cellular network is still pretty bad in some areas. However it appears the radio also has redundancy over satellite in addition. This will replace radio as we know it. It will also mean in many areas the scanner will become obsolete.
APX NEXT can exchange multimedia messages with
smartphones and other smart devices, provided the devices have the
WAVE PTT mobile application and subscription service. WAVE PTT
application is available on both Android and IOS platforms.
Well the above answers my question. Can APXNext share compatibility with Motorola WAVE POC radios and the answer is yes. POC or Push to talk over cellular is a fully encrypted, private, secure form of communications. Many POC devices use android apps and function like your old NEXTEL phone did back in the day. Additionally, with APXNext you can create message groups which is similar to a private chat system.
Well there ya go, I only skimmed the surface of APXNext. But it’s here and Motorola is pushing its users onto the device. It will change the way Mission Critical communications are handled. It will also probably not find itself on Ebay.
If your looking for more information contact your Motorola Solutions product vendor.