With Apple’s new API, apps under iOS 16 will soon be able to work like a walkie-talkie – if the developers want it.
With iOS 16, Apple is releasing a programming interface that can be used by developers to add a walkie-talkie function to apps. This can be used to relive childhood nostalgia or communicate in real time at work without having to call the other person.
The programming interface is called Push to Talk
-API, which already sums up the core functionality. It was presented by Apple at WWDC 2022. You can find the right article and detailed video on Apple’s developer platform
In the video, Apple introduces what a walkie-talkie function could look like via the new API, starting around minute 3:20. In the appropriate demo app, a communication channel must first be entered. Communicating with others at the push of a but ton is also possible outside of the actual Push-To-Talk app thanks to an always accessible display in the status bar.
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Whatsapp and Co are on the train
However, Apple only provides the interface and does not have its own app that has these functions. So developers still have to integrate the walkie-talkie functions into their apps if they want to.
Communication apps at an advantage: Of course, this function makes sense above all for apps that already allow you to communicate via text or audio, such as Whatsapp, Signal or Discord. Such a basis also makes it easier for developers, because in order to implement the functions of the API, the apps have to bring their own audio infrastructure. It is therefore up to you to regulate how the audio messages are sent and received.
So far it is not known whether Whatsapp, Signal and Co want to make use of the new interface. But it can be taken for granted that there will be at least completely new apps that use the push-to-talk function.
In addition, iOS 16 brings a feature for Apple’s Messenger that Whatsapp does not yet have in this form. You can find out more about this in the following article:
New Messenger feature
Whatsapp users have been waiting for this for ages
When is the new interface coming?
The API is to be released with iOS 16. This is currently still under development. We expect the release in autumn 2022. All other innovations of the operating system can be found here:
iOS 16 presented: The biggest innovations, supported devices, release & beta
Did you use a walkie-talkie as a child and maybe even use one for work? Would the function be a useful extension for messenger apps? Please let us know.
