From the beginning, Apple has been clear that the smartwatch should serve to communicate between two people in addition to measuring our physical activity. As part of this idea, watchOS 5 (re) introduces Walkie-Talkie. A function through which we can use our Apple Watch as transmitters and receivers among users of the device.
Half text message, half call, Walkie-Talkie is a form of communication that is cool.
Walkie-Talkie and its fleeting appearance in 2014
Apple introduced its smartwatch in September 2014, along with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Its launch was scheduled for early 2015, which ended up happening at the end of April of that year. However, few remember that on the way it lost a small feature: Walkie-Talkie.
Walkie-Talkie was announced with the original Apple Watch in 2014, to be later removed from the final version of the operating system the following year.
The image above corresponds to the marketing material that was on the Apple website on November 25, 2014, obtained thanks to web.archive.org. With a very different interface from the current one, there was hardly a wave with our voice and a volume controller.
When we asked the company about this change, Apple recognizes that its smartwatch had to prioritize certain characteristics over others before its launch. Walkie-Talkie needs a "park" of clocks to interact with to find its usefulness. And that fleet did not exist in 2015, that's why it was removed from the final version. Today the circumstances have changed and now there is a critical mass.
This is the reason why it disappeared silently back then and its later reappearance in 2018.
This is how Walkie-Talkie works in watchOS 5
Three years later and with the next generation of Apple Watch about to arrive in September, there is already a sufficiently large "fleet" of users and devices. That's why watchOS 5 introduces the Walkie-Talkie function among all compatible watches. This is, from Series 1 onwards and leaving out the veteran Series 0.
Walkie-Talkie uses a kind of disguise based on FaceTime audio, where the quality of communication of this system is noted. After trying it several times in the last weeks, Walkie-Talkie is a much faster way to send audio than you think at first. The operation is as follows:
- Open the Walkie-Talkie app and activate your availability.
- Select the contact you wish to discuss with the list of people with watchOS 5 installed on your watch. The contacts that appear suggested are those with which you write emails, messages or calls usually.
- The contact will receive a notification that you want to use Walkie-Talkie with him. You must accept your request the first time to be able to send messages.
- Now you just have to press the yellow button to start recording your message. As soon as you release it, it will automatically be sent to your contact.
- If available, you will receive a notification and if you raise your wrist, the message will be played. Press the button to respond in (almost) real time.
The speed at which these messages are sent is very fast. If you receive a Walkie-Talkie notification and do not want to talk at that time, you can cover the screen of your Apple Watch with the palm of your other hand to silence it. The other person will receive a notice that you are not available. Walkie-Talkie works both under Wi-Fi and cellular so it can be used both in Wi-Fi models without your iPhone nearby but with a network known by hand, as with independent models thanks to its cellular connectivity.
Having an activated Walkie-Talkie does not increase battery consumption in the Apple Watch.
If you have Walkie-Talkie activated on your Apple Watch, you will see a tiny yellow icon of this app on the dial of your watch. This icon acts as a reminder that you are available to other users, but as we have clarified Apple does not consume more battery to be on.
Walkie-Talkie is a new way to communicate with the Apple Watch. One that combines the spontaneity of the text message with the speed of a phone call. In my case and as I have more friends and family with this device, I think I could replace part of my messages or calls with them. I'm looking forward to testing it in September when watchOS 5 is released. Change and short.
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