[ELI5] If smartphones can be used for long range communication, then why can’t it be used to communicate like walkie-talkies?
In: 10
They had that in the early 2000s. Phones with phone to phone communication. The use cases for that is pretty limited so it never really caught on and stopped being included. It really only made sense during the small time period when people had phones but regularly were out of cell range (but still wanted to talk to people near by?)
The technology exists, and is built into some “adventure” phones such as the [Unihertz Atom XL](https://www.unihertz.com/products/atom-xl)
There have also been mesh network programs to connect directly to other phones and create a mesh network covering a region where each phone connects to any others around, but uptake was poor. An example of that software was “[serval rhizome](https://developer.servalproject.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=content:tech:rhizome)”
Phones relay conversations via cell towers. Walkie talkies send signals directly from device to device. Both technologies have benefits and draw backs. Phones need smaller radio since signal only needs to reach nearest cell tower. Walkie talkies are free, since you don’t have to pay for subscription.
Tiny phones are only able to communicate over great distances if the *other* end is super duper powerful, like a cell tower.
It’s like a little kid and his parent rowing a boat. Only works because one half does most of the work.
That feature is still available, it is called push to talk (PTT). Originally it did work like walkie-talkies, but now it’s much more complicated, and can be used much further away. It is popular in industries like construction.
Smartphones can do long-range communication using cellular networks or the internet, but walkie-talkies use radio frequencies for short-range communication without the need of a network. You can use a smartphone like a walkie-talkie with a special app, but it might have limitations like distance, security, and battery. Also, smartphones are not optimized for this specific purpose like walkie-talkies are.
They can. Many phones still have this capability and theres apps that utilize it. Its becoming less common tho
We used to have it, my dad told me it was significantly cheaper than making a call. My dad only communicated that way with his buddies. He got me one at age 6 so I could do the same. I was the only one in my class to have a phone (2002) and would 2way my dad whenever. I remember that chirp noise
Still exists. For an app version, check out Firechat. Note that it doesn’t work very well at long distances.
For a more effective version, you need an external antenna. Check out GoTenna. Works while over a mile apart sometimes.
Why it’s not built in, because it’s bulky and a niche use case.
They can, but not many people need that, so regular phones aren’t equipped with this feature.
Modern police and other emergency service radios are actually 4G phones using walkie-talkie mode, but they can also act as phones as well as supporting stuff like text messaging and data.
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