Do you remember getting your first set of walkie-talkies? I do. I was seven or eight and my parents got me a set for Christmas. The radios used four C Cell batteries making the physical size of the radio unit about 30 cm tall with an antenna that extended nearly a meter in length. They were awesome. 

HeyTell has developed a simple app for iOS and Android that brings some of the fun of early 80s walkie-talkie communication to state-of-the-art smartphone platforms.

You build your HeyTell network virally by adding your friends to your personal network with an in-app invite. If they already have the app they will receive either a text message or email prompting them to add you to their network or will be prompted to download the app (currently free in the iTunes/Android store).

Once you create your HeyTell network you can start messaging with your friends in real time or leave them voice messages to pick up next time they run the app. 

You may be asking yourself, "so what?" Try it. It's fun and strangely addictive.

I don't know why but there is something thrilling about communicating in a decidedly old school way. You press a big orange button and say your piece. A few seconds later you get your friend's response and so on. It's simple, easy-to-use and fun to play with–but does it have a practical application? Me thinks so.

First off, you can enhance the basic HeyTell experience with a module that enables group broadcasts. I see this as a great way to blast out info to a work or practice group all running the app. I imagine courier companies or fleet-based businesses could find some practical use for this application. So too could organizations with large user bases like universities or civic governments. The app could push out info updates such as safety bulletins or traffic updates.  

I also foresee HeyTell releasing a web-based applet that would enable web-to-phone communication for support, sales inquiries, etc. initiated on a website. Given that Android has now surpassed Blackberry as the most popular smartphone platform in the US, the future looks bright for apps that can leverage the smartphone platform with innovative applications that improve options for communication.  

You can check out HeyTell here: HeyTell.com (warning Flash website) or download direct from iTunes or Android marketplaces.