GroupTalk for iOS 17 with Apples new PTT framework

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 has now been launched by Apple.

The new iOS release affects GroupTalk users with iPhone or iPad. Read on!

iOS 17 includes a new Push to Talk (PTT) framework that is required to be used by developers of  PTT apps. The framework enables a group of individuals to communicate almost instantly with the press of a button in a standardised way defined by Apple.

The framework is power-efficient, user-friendly, and privacy-focused. It handles push notifications and events like when audio transmission begins or ends, and when a person is going Online / Offline. It is a requirement by Apple that all PTT apps on iOS 17 use the framework. GroupTalk supports iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus / iPhone 15 Pro and older iOS models.

It is good news that Apple has released this new framework, it tells us that Apple wants to support Push to Talk users on iOS.

The framework supplies an Apple Push Notification service token so the system can wake a PTT app in the background (with the PTT app not visible on the screen and even with the iOS device screen locked) to handle incoming audio while a session is ongoing.

An iPhone user will see a new icon in the Dynamic Island or in the Status Bar at the top of the screen. The icon illustrates that the new PTT framework is in use and the icon is a shortcut to the GroupTalk app. Note that on iPhones without a Dynamic Island there is no space in the Status Bar to always show the PTT icon so it will be replaced with a blue icon displaying the time. Pressing the icon with the clock will take you to GroupTalk and a Talk / PTT button. 

A benefit from the framework is that when receiving an incoming message you can respond from a PTT button on the lock screen of your iOS device. 

Furthermore the new PTT framework in combination with GroupTalk allows you to continue using bluetooth PTT buttons, bluetooth Remote Speaker Microphones (RSM) and bluetooth headsets for Push to Talk. 

Note that the start and end tones of audio transmissions are controlled by Apple and that you have to set the volume of these tones in the App by first pressing the PTT button and then adjusting the volume using the volume keys on the phone (previously these volumes were controlled by a setting in the GroupTalk App). This is clearly shown in the video below.

iOS 17 with the new PTT framework can be used on: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone SE, (2nd generation or later).

Watch the video below to see how the new PTT framework works in real life with GroupTalk.