Over the years, apps that can mimic a walkie-talkie have become popular. Also, their ability to enable instant two-way communication on your smart device is a significant selling point. But what are the benefits these apps offer?
For short answers, walkie-talkie apps offer several benefits to users. Besides copying walkie-talkie features, they are also a cheaper way to communicate. You can also talk over long distances because they rely on cellular networks.
Keep reading for the full discussion. This article will discuss the benefits of using a walkie-talkie app and explore different types of walkie-talkie apps with some FAQs. Let’s dive in.
What Is Walkie Talkie App?
A walkie-talkie app is a mobile application that copies walkie-talkie functions to provide instant two-way communication on smart devices. These apps offer the primary functions of a walkie-talkie and other benefits. They rely typically on WiFi or a cellular network instead of walkie-talkie frequencies.
How Walkie-talkie Apps Work
Walkie-talkie apps rely on cellular, Bluetooth, or WiFi networks. Once you have installed the app, it turns your smartphone or smart device automatically into a walkie-talkie. Hence, you can communicate with another user or a group of users at the push of a button.
Most walkie-talkie apps have channels where users can communicate. They may also have advanced features like text messaging, file transfer, GPS navigation, and group calls.
It’s also possible for them to offer features like video calls that are unavailable on the standard walkie-talkie.
Benefits Of Using Walkie-Talkie Apps
1. Instant Communication
The main function of walkie-talkie apps is that they copy the push-to-talk ability of walkie-talkies. They allow you to send voice messages at the push of a button. Hence, they reduce wait time, allowing you to communicate quicker than with other apps.
Walkie-talkie apps can be an indispensable tool in areas where there’s a need for quick response. For instance, walkie-talkie apps can help in emergency operations where instant communication is critical.
2. Cost-effective
Compared to traditional walkie-talkies, these apps are way cheaper. First, you don’t need to buy dedicated radios or extra equipment. Also, businesses and organizations don’t need to pay for licensing.
When using walkie-talkie apps, you only need to download the app, own a smart device, and have a reliable internet connection. Some of them don’t have paid subscriptions.
The paid subscription of most walkie-talkie apps is for businesses. These apps are still cheaper for businesses when compared to walkie-talkies. So, generally, users can enjoy affordable instant communication.
3. Better Audio Quality
If you have used walkie-talkies, you know it can sometimes be hard to hear what someone says. Usually, this happens because of noise and interference, which reduces the audio quality.
There are several techniques used to combat poor audio quality. But walkie-talkies may still not offer a high audio quality like the apps.
Walkie-talkie apps use Voice Over Internet Protocol technology instead of analog, ensuring audio quality is preserved.
Hence, you can communicate clearly with walkie-talkie apps as long as there’s an internet connection.
4. Unlimited Range
Walkie-talkie apps rely on cellular networks. Hence, they are not limited by distance. Unlike handheld radios that only offer short-distance communication, walkie-talkie apps allow you to talk over long distances.
In fact, there’s no range limit as long as there’s mobile coverage. Hence, you can talk to friends in various locations.
5. Group Communication
Making group calls and conversations is cheaper with walkie-talkie apps than regular calls. These apps also use less data than social media and other talk apps, making them really convenient.
Walkie-talkie apps also prevent group members from talking over each other thanks to the one-to-one conversation feature of PTT.
To hold private group conversations, users just need to create a private channel or group. Thus, whether it’s a group of friends or a professional team at work, group discussions are possible with the push of a button.
There’s also barely any restriction to the number of people in a group because most app channels support hundreds of users. Hence, large groups can talk with walkie-talkie apps.
6. Enhanced Features
Walkie-talkie apps also have the enhanced features of traditional walkie-talkies. Some of them have text messaging and emergency alerts.
You may also get extra features unavailable on walkie-talkies, like location sharing, file transfer, and video calls. These features are beneficial when you can’t send voice messages.
7. Cross-platform Compatibility
Most walkie-talkie apps work on several devices like iOS, Android, and Windows. Hence, you can talk with people who are using other devices. Some apps even have Smart Watch support, and some are compatible with wired or wireless headsets or earbuds.
Also, a few walkie-talkie apps can still communicate with the traditional walkie-talkie using radio gateways. Hence, businesses can choose to use their existing radios with the app.
8. Scalability
Walkie-talkie apps are scalable, making them ideal for growing businesses. Their channels can accommodate hundreds of users. Hence, as the workforce grows, employers or team leaders can easily add new staff to the channel or group.
Also, since these apps are software, it’s easier for them to meet the growing needs of users. Developers can do so by regularly updating the app to add new features.
9. Security Features
Walkie-talkie apps provide enhanced security features. These features include end-to-end encryption, password protection, access control, and two-factor authentication.
Hence, you can communicate securely without unauthorized parties intercepting your private information by hacking into your account. Businesses and organizations can also talk more safely on walkie-talkie apps.
10. Flexibility
Walkie-talkies apps are flexible and customizable. Hence, they are fun and easy to use. You can create channels and groups with different access levels.
Most walkie-talkie apps also offer other communication methods. Besides making calls, you may also be able to make video calls and share images and other files. Hence, you have several options, so you can customize your communication method anytime you need to.
Popular Walkie-talkie Apps
1. Zello
Zello is a popular walkie-talkie app compatible with iOS, Bluetooth, and Android. Using WiFi or a Cellular network, users can talk at the push of a button.
Zello offers unlimited channels that can support up to 6,000 users. Users can join channels of interest or create channels and invite others to join.
You can send voice messages and share photos, text, and location on the app. You can also connect to earbuds, earphones, and the like, for hands-free use.
There is a paid subscription called Zello Work. Zello Work was created for businesses and organizations. It offers extra features like message replay and emergency alerts.
2. Voxer
Voxer allows you to create chats with up to 500 contacts and send voice messages in real-time. Messages are secured with end-to-end encryption, providing top security for users. The Voxer app is available for download on Android and iOS. There’s also a web version for PC users.
Besides traditional voice messaging, you can send text, photos, videos, and GIFs and share your location in real time. Voxer also allows you to play back your voice messages at your convenience.
The app is free but also has a paid version called Voxer Business. The premium version is mainly for business, and it has extra features like message recall and voice-to-text transcription.
3. Two Way
Two Way simply offers the basic features of traditional walkie-talkies. Two Way doesn’t require users to sign up or add personal information. Hence, it’s a good choice for users who value their privacy. The app runs in the background without running down your battery.
All you need to do to talk to other users is to find a channel. You can easily do this using the map feature for searching for active users on a channel or a particular location.
4. HeyTell
HeyTell is a remarkable walkie-talkie app. It is perfect for users who want exciting features at a low cost, as HeyTell is free. But, to access extra features like batch-delete, alert tones, and group messages, you must make in-app purchases.
HeyTell supports iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows devices. You can also send text messages on Apple Watch.
For more personalization, users get to choose between three privacy levels. You can also use the voice changer feature to customize your voice when sending voice messages.
5. Pro PTT2
The Pro PTT2 walkie-talkie app is excellent for users who want a video call option. It offers HD-quality video sharing for users with a built-in camera or an external UVC camera connection. The app doesn’t have a PTT button. To send messages, you can touch any part of the screen.
As soon as you sign up for Pro PTT2, you get a free channel, and when you get a paid pass, you can create more channels. The app offers paid passes from a 1-day subscription to a 1-year subscription.
Hence, users can try the paid plan for just a day to know how it feels. Another exciting feature is that it supports a radio gateway, meaning you can also connect to traditional walkie-talkies.
Conclusion
Walkie-talkie apps are apps designed to mimic walkie-talkies on smart devices like smartphones and PCs. They allow users to talk at the push of the PTT. Hence, users can enjoy instant communication. But unlike radios, they rely on cellular networks, Bluetooth, or WiFi.
Some of the benefits they offer are instant communication, clear audio, scalability, enhanced features, and cross-platform compatibility. Some popular walkie-talkie apps you can try out are Zello, Pro PTT2, HeyTell, Voxer, and Two Way. The best part is that these apps are free to download and use.
One Response