Using a smartphone as a walkie-talkie is not a step backward in terms of technical progress, it's a great way to save money on buying a walkie-talkie, and just combine two devices in one. Today we will talk about how to set up your gadget and make a full-fledged walkie-talkie out of it.
Zello walkie talkie
One of the most popular ways is to install the Zello app. This application has gained popularity due to its ease of use and the fact that the application is completely free. There is, however, and paid version, but its differences and advantages could not be determined.
This program can be installed both on a mobile phone and on a computer or laptop. Zello will delight you with a fairly convenient menu with various options. For example, you can save and play message history, create password-protected channels. The program also displays the online statuses of contacts, which is very convenient.
Zello supports up to 800 connected interlocutors simultaneously. True, with such a number of people, the quality of the transmission will suffer significantly. For comfortable communication, the number of contacts should not exceed 300. Naturally, you need to have an Internet connection to use it.
It is very convenient that this application supports bluetooth headsets, so it is very convenient to use such a walkie-talkie while driving or in the office.
The second most popular app after Zello.
Quite interesting and convenient application that turns your phone into portable radio... Has many additional functions, for example, the ability to transfer not only voice messages, but also other content: photo, video, audio, text.
In Voxer, you can indicate your location. This function useful for travelers, as well as people who are in unfamiliar areas. In addition, Voxer allows you to save your message history. There is also a very convenient function that allows you to record an audio message even without Internet access: you can send it when the opportunity arises.
One of the most interesting features of Voxer is the ability to play voice messages at two or three times the speed.
Mobile walkie-talkie from the operator
This option is suitable for those who have mobile phones do not support the specified applications. The phone model does not matter, because it is not separate application, and the service of the operator. It is worth noting that not all mobile operators Ukraine support this function.
To use a mobile radio from Kyivstar, you need to register the settings that the operator will send you and pay a subscription fee for using the service.
The radio from Kyivstar allows you to create both public and private channels. Significant difference from third-party programs- the fact that the mobile radio does not require access to the Internet. But it is worth noting that it works only within the coverage of the mobile operator's network.
Walkietooth
Walkietooth uses Bluetooth technology to transmit voice messages. The program is not popular, since the Bluetooth technology is already outdated and has several significant drawbacks.
For example, the application allows you to connect no more than two phones together and only at a very limited distance (about 10 meters between devices). In addition, the duration of voice messages is no more than 10 seconds.
But don't discount this app. Walkietooth can be very useful in some cases: for example, when you need to communicate underground, as well as in conditions of poor visibility or communication.
Push-To-Talk
The famous Push-To-Talk feature that many smartphones have (especially Nokia and Motorola). This technology is still improving, despite the existence of the improved applications that we talked about earlier.
The response time of Push-To-Talk is approximately 1-1.5 seconds, and the transmission distance voice message limited by the operator's network.
Among the significant disadvantages of this function: an outdated and rather rare operating system that runs Push-To-Talk, namely Symbian. Every year it loses its relevance more and more.
Zello walkie-talkie is a program for Android phone and tablet, with the help of which anyone can turn their device into a personal walkie-talkie. The application is becoming more and more popular every day, as evidenced by the huge number of downloads, the number of which is more than 15 million.
Features of Zello Walkie Talkie for Android
The popularity of the application is due to a number of features of the utility, among which it is necessary to highlight:
- Majority support operating systems, thanks to which the application can be installed on gadgets with iOS, BlackBerry OS, Android, as well as desktop versions of Windows.
- A huge number of open communication channels, which allows up to 1,000 people to communicate at the same time.
- First-class voice transmission, giving the impression of being in the next room.
- Displaying the status of users in real time.
- Support for wireless headsets.
- Ability to view the history of messages and conversations.
- A unique opportunity to create closed communication channels for access to which you must have a master password.
- Support for all currently known Internet connections, so you can stay in touch wherever you are.
Zello radio program has an attractive interface that makes the application easy and intuitive to operate. If necessary, users have the ability to record a conversation, which only some competing programs can boast of. Use the Zello walkie-talkie to always be in touch with your friends and family.
Android OS: 1.5+
Latest version: 3.6.7
In Russian: yes
- a unique application in Russian that allows you to communicate for free with friends and strangers from all over the world through a walkie-talkie. The bottom line is to connect to a specific communication channel, where the interlocutors have already gathered. You can also create your own to gather friends and family in one place for instant search and start voice exchange of information. At the same time, no one except the participants will hear your conversation, and you can protect access with a unique password excluding uninvited guests.
Features of Zello for Android:
- Thousands of channels on topics with free access, with the connection of up to 2500 users at the same time
- High quality real-time voice transmission, without losing communication with an unstable Internet
- Create an unlimited number of communication channels, manage entry rules, invite users
- Intelligent adaptation to any data transmission technologies: 2G, 3G (GPRS | EDGE) WiFi, 4G
- Support bluetooth headset, headphones (wired / wireless), speakers, audio systems and more
Zello radio will always be in touch, under any conditions and circumstances. People subscribed to the channel will never miss important notifications, because the entire history is saved in a convenient format, and the status of the participants shows the environment of the people. Just press the huge button to start chatting, and all users in the group at the moment will hear your voice. Subscribe to topics of interest, and ask questions, help others, inform about the situation in the city or on the road, share advice and knowledge. Download full version Zello walkie-talkie for Android can be free at the link below, without registration and SMS.
Hello, friends! Today we will talk about one very small, but very useful program, which has united millions of people around the world. Do you estimate the scope of everything that is happening?
And we will talk about how the application Zello walkie talkie for Android helps to navigate the traffic situation and timely learn about police patrols and traffic jams on the way.
It can be run on home, as well as on all popular mobile platforms. Here full list supported OS:
And if you look at the number of downloads only on devices with Android, then the scale of the activity immediately becomes clear:
How impressive? Yes, here you can simply wonder how such a small program can achieve such popularity. Let us remind you once again that the Zello radio works wherever there is the World Wide Web. So figure it out.
Now let's go directly to the overview of the functions of the application, which will replace bulky walkie-talkies with long antennas, which are often seen on truckers. But only we will have more options:
So, in this publication we will consider the version for the Android system. You can download it in the app store Play Market passing. After installation, the program is greeted with the following message:
The bottom line is that in order to start using the radio, you need to start account, and then log in. This process is very simple, but you can create an account in the application itself:
Now let's talk about the main functions. First of all, we need to finish the channels to which we want to connect. The channel itself is a community of people with specific interests.
For example, in order to know the traffic situation in the city of Minsk, you need to connect to a channel called "Probki.by (Minsk)". To do this, click on the icon indicated in the picture above and select "Channel Search":
Then we enter the name of the desired channel into the search bar and that's it. Now we will be up to date with the latest traffic news. By the way, here is a screenshot for you with all the main channels for the capital of Belarus and the Moscow Ring Road:
You can always understand the state of a channel (live, dead) by the number of active participants, the number of which is shown immediately under the name. The button on the right enables or disables us from live broadcasting.
Alternatively, you can simply tap and hold on the channel name with your finger. Then such a context menu with a choice of functions will appear:
As you can see, you can disconnect from the channel, or just turn off the sound for a while. An interesting option for inviting friends is also available.
When you select the "Channel Profile" item, the screen will display detailed information about the rules of conduct in this community and other additional semantic load.
Now let's consider the possibility of working with statuses in the Zello walkie-talkie for Android. To do this, you need to open the menu in the right upper corner and select the first section titled "Status":
And the first to select the item "Busy":
In this state, audio messages transmitted by other members of the community will not be heard in real time. But you can watch them later, when, for example, it will be convenient for us to listen to them:
The status named "Solo" works in a slightly different way. When choosing it, the order of actions will be as follows. We select one specific group (channel) that we want to hear.
Then we turn on "Solo" and all other channels will be silent. And incoming messages, again, will be written to the archive, which can always be listened to on the "Recent" tab.
Now let's move on to working in the Zello app with channel members. That is, those people who broadcast relevant information in the open air. To do this, you need to click on the channel name, and then select this icon:
A list of people who participate in the selected community will appear on the screen. We choose anyone in order to understand what can be done with it at all:
If you click the "Add to list" item, then after receiving authorization from the specified person, you will be able to talk on the radio with him directly, bypassing the general broadcast of the community.
But there is one nuance here. In order for him to see the request for friendship, we must both be online. Otherwise, the acquaintance will not work. So always keep in mind this feature of the program.
Well, okay, let's wrap up with listening to someone, we must already say something on the air. Here, the first step is to check the state of the connection, having heard yourself loved. To do this, go to the "Contacts" section:
And in it, select the "Echo" item:
Now we hold down the circle with the microphone logo, we wait sound signal and say some test phrase. After that, let go of the microphone and listen to the repetition of the said phrase.
If the audibility is good, then everything is fine and you can start close communication in the selected channels. And this is done, my friends, exactly on the same principle as checking the connection.
We go to the desired community, click on the circle, wait for the signal and talk. The main thing here is to understand the moment that we can be heard only as long as we hold the button. Well, there are some more unwritten rules that you need to know:
- Before going on the air yourself, you always need to wait until the speaker at this moment finishes his message and only then press the microphone;
- It must be understood that only one person can speak at a time. If we wedge ourselves into the current conversation, we will simply not be heard;
- You should not pour a lot of water into the ether. You need to speak quickly, clearly and to the point. It should be remembered that while we are on the air, no one else will be heard.
As you can see, the result is a set of rules of conduct that are simple and understandable to any user. By the way, I must also say that the program itself is very easy to configure and use.
The only thing that can scare an unprepared user is that automatic start is enabled by default in the radio settings:
And it happens that all of a sudden, the phone lying in the kitchen at night begins to speak in someone's unfamiliar voice. So don't be alarmed, this is Zello: 😉
Well friends, here we are with you and answered the question of how Zello walkie-talkie for Android helps drivers on the road. And in conclusion, let's say a few words about the traffic consumed by the program.
Tentatively, the application consumes about 20 KB per hour in standby mode. In conversation, in use mobile internet, one minute will hang around 110 Kb.
If we use WiFi network, then the last value should be multiplied by two, since with this type of connection there is less compression of the stream. In general, with fairly active communication, Zello needs somewhere between 200-300 MB per month.
Okay, my friends, at this point, let's round off, because our article is already stretched out so much. But we all know that it is strictly forbidden to sit at the computer for a long time.
https://youtu.be/Dao5MB6euNk?list=PLFoZ80v1dglNjUrF-DLyKFwVdWIeipPp7
