Push-to-talk (PTT) service is similar to a walkie-talkie with radio devices and usually has a limited range. In mobile devices, PTT can have unlimited range using an Internet connection and individuals conversing can be from both ends of the world.

GroupVox developed their PTT service app which allows Facebook users to send text messages to one another and voice messages similar to a walkie-talkie.

Upon launch of the GroupVox app, it will request that the user must login via Facebook and if the Facebook social app is installed, it will open directly to connect the user to the PTT service. A confirmation of certain access will prompt the user as well.

The next screen displays the image of "you have chats" since it's the first time to be used. You can click the "+" to starting conversation in GroupVox.

Pressing the "menu" button shows other options such as mark all as seen, invite, settings, and signing out. In the settings area, you can change certain aspects of the app including the option to use the "volume down" button as the "hold and talk" action imitating the walkie-talkie. The user can also do "clear media cache", control notifications, modify ringtones, and change the LED color if the device allows such.'

The conversation page has three divisions, Groups, Events, and Friends. The "Groups" and "Events" are from the Facebook list and the "Friends" uses combined lists from Facebook and GroupVox.

Online friends will be shown to any of the three sections and the user can start a conversation. The app allows both text and voice message to be sent to the recipient using an Internet connection.

A user can change the method of sending messages by clicking the keyboard or the voice icon at the right-top of the conversation screen. An option at the bottom of that screen called "Hold & Talk" records the voice message a user wants to send to the recipient.

Normally, the app detects automatically anyone who is online and can direct send messages. However, the app is still new and not all Android devices yet have been optimised for it right now. The developers are currently performing system improvement for all devices.

Pros: Fast connection, smooth UI, send messaging is instant, good audio recording capture.

Cons: No chat box ready, no emoticons yet, sending of voice messages are not yet optimised to some devices, bug issues with displaying of online contacts affect certain devices.

GroupVox is a free app and available from the Google Play.

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