Since the creation of iOS and Android, users desired the ability to use push to talk functionality on their devices. HeyTell has been released to fulfill this requirement.
How does it work?
First, HeyTell asks you who you are by requesting that you pick yourself from your contact list. It is a good idea that you make sure you have your information in your contact list. Once you have identified yourself, then you can start using the app.
You will first need to know someone that uses HeyTell. If you do, find them in your contacts by selecting the select contacts button. Once you find the person’s name, you can double tap and select send via email or sms. Once they accept your friend request you can start talking to that person.
When you want to talk to someone, all you have to do is select that person in the conversations list and double tap and hold on the press to speak button. When you are done just let your finger go off the phone. Your message will be instantly sent, and the person can respond. the same way. You can also see previous messages by tapping the more info button near the person’s name, and there is an option to switch between speakers on the phone. HeyTell also has extras you can purchase to make the app do different things.
If you are not in the app when someone sends you a message, the app will get a push notification and alert you to a new message.
Observations
For one of the first apps of its kind, HeyTell is a very well designed app. The creator had VoiceOver users in mind and has labeled every button. I also understand that it is necessary to sometimes use iAd, but in this app the ad covers part of the conversation window which can make this area quite clutterd. I would also like to see group messaging, and forwarding be implemented, but I am sure these things will come in later. The interface to this app is very clean and basic, and I myself notice some of the techniques they used as I am an iOS developer myself. I think the creators followed the guidelines well, and I wish other iOS developers would do the same.
Conclusion
At a very low price tag of FREE, I think HeyTell is a must have if you prefer push to talk conversations. I have not had the chance to look at the Android version of this app, so if anyone would like to comment please do so. I am also working on an Android accessibility website called drainable.net, so once that is up I would like to get some good reviews of Android accessibility, and I think I will start with HeyTell.
