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Walkie-talkies, also known as hand-held transceivers are two-way radio transceivers developed during World War II. Users have a receiver that contains an antennae and a “push-to-talk” switch that allows you to speak after you have listened to the voice on the other side of the unit.
You could only communicate back and forth with one individual at a time, very much like a telephone. As a child, I played with walkie-talkies for hours, pretending to be on secret missions, spying on other kids or just talking to my next door neighbor at night from under the covers.

For those of you old enough to remember the thrill of the first time you used a walkie-talkie, you will be interested to hear there is a digital resurgence for this ancient technology. Hand held mobile devices now have apps that recreate the experience.

Hey Tell is an app available on iPhone and Android platforms that allows you to instantly send short voice messages to other users, for free! Their “push-to-talk” technology as they call it is already being used by 3 million users and is catching on fast.

There are all types of uses for this technology, and we are investigating using it to communicate between the front desk and the ophthalmic techs to increase efficiency. You can have fun with it to, as there are app add-ons like voice-masking technology and a function that enables you to communicate with groups. The range is infinitely greater than the old hand-held walkie-talkies of course.

There are a few other messaging apps in the game: TiKL, Audioboo, TinyVox, GroupMe and Beluga as well as others, but HeyTell is well ahead of the game with the largest subscriber database. I have played around with the TiKL app on my Android and like it.

How might you use this technology?

Interoffice communication? Keeping track of the kids? Let me know by replying below.

- Alan N. Glazier, OD, FAAO
Founder/CEO
Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care
Rockville, MD

Twitter Handle: @EyeInfo
Blog: http://www.youreyesite.net
Website: YourEyeSite.com

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