Apple this week announced iOS 16, which brings new features such as a redesigned lock screen with widgets, expanded Focus Mode, iMessage improvements, passkeys, and more. In addition, iOS 16 comes with multiple new APIs, including one that enables walkie-talkie capabilities for third-party apps.
The new API is called “Push to Talk,” and it basically lets developers add a walkie-talkie to their iOS apps. In a session at WWDC 2022, Apple demonstrated how the new API works and how developers can implement it.
iOS already lets audio apps run in the background, but so far this has been limited to things like regular voice messages or even an audio call. With the Push to Talk API, audio messages are sent and played in real time, even in the background.
Walkie-talkie communication appears at the top of the screen when someone is sending you a message, and iOS shows the app icon and the name of the person who is talking to you. After you hear the message, there are options to reply in real time with audio or leave the conversation. Push to Talk works for individual conversations or even groups.
What about Apple’s walkie-talkie?
Apple Watch users may be familiar with Apple’s Walkie-Talkie app, which comes pre-installed by default since watchOS 5. Although the new API in iOS 16 works in a similar way, they are different things.
Apple’s Walkie-Talkie app uses the FaceTime Audio infrastructure to send and receive messages in real time. As for the new API, it requires the developer to implement their own backend to deliver and receive audio messages. The only thing the API enables is a universal interface for walkie-talkie conversations that even works in the background.
Of course, with this new API, Apple could bring its own Walkie-Talkie app to the iPhone and iPad in the future. But for now, this feature relies on third-party apps.
Developers can find more details about the new Push to Talk API on the Apple Developer website.
More about iOS 16
iOS 16 is now available as beta software for developers. A public beta will be released next month, while the official release is expected this fall.
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