WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - With Hurricane Irma heading towards Florida, the rush to download walkie-talkie app Zello has also intensified.
Zello, an Austin, Texas-based company, has tweeted that six hundred thousand new users joined it on Wednesday, September 6. People are downloading and signing up for the free service in anticipation of cellphone services possibly getting disrupted due to Irma.
Zello's smartphone app essentially acts like a walkie-talkie, allowing users to send voice messages in real time to anyone listening to a channel. It emulates push-to-talk or PTT walkie-talkies over cell phone networks.
Zello simulates traditional two-way radios, offering additional features such as history, replay last message, notifications and Bluetooth device support.
The app played a major role after Hurricane Harvey ripped through Texas. During relief efforts following the hurricane, Zello became a popular method for communications between volunteer rescuers and people stranded due to widespread flooding.
However, responding to rumors about Zello requirements, Zello said its app will not work without internet.
'There has been some misinformation spread about Zello requirements. Please inform others: Zello REQUIRES using either WiFi or a cellular data network of at least 2G,' Zello said in a Facebook post.
While the app is free to download, Zello makes money off its premium version marketed to businesses.
Zello created headlines in June 2013 when Turkish protesters used the app to circumvent government censors. It was also blocked by telecommunications provider CANTV in Venezuela in February 2014 after protesters used the app to communicate with each other.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX