Despite ongoing legal battles with Nextel, Verizon Wireless has become the second US carrier to offer Push to Talk (PTT) services, which provide direct connection and walkie-talkie style functions for cellphones. Nextel has been the only operator with a PTT service until now, but several other companies plan to follow suit in the US, including Sprint, Cingular and AT&T Wireless. European operators including Verizon Wireless co-owner Vodafone are also assessing the service. Verizon is downplaying analyst claims that this will be just a fad by stressing business benefits, particularly the ability to manage workgroups. Group call lists can be set up on the Verizon web site and users can then call the group with a single button push and see…