New Bluetooth Accessory Brings Hands-free Calling to Zello and any Push-to-talk App

Westford, MA — Apr 15, 2014 / (http://www.myprgenie.com) — AINA-Wireless is raising funds on Kickstarter to build a breakthrough Bluetooth accessory targeting the growing user base of push-to-talk-over-IP apps. AINA’s ALLCOM(TM) ONE device is a hands-free walkie-talkie accessory that is fully interoperable with every IP push-to-talk app available. “The challenge anyone developing an accessory for walkie-talkie apps must overcome is the lack of a standard for Push-To-Talk over Bluetooth” said Max imilian LeRoux, CEO of AINA-Wireless Inc.  As a result, most device makers have either built to a specific app or left important features out of the device.  Through a patent-pending technology, the ALLCOM(TM) ONE is the first accessory to provide a fully functional and interoperable Bluetooth IP push-to-talk experience.

All-in-one hands-free walkie-talkie, music loud speaker and conference call device:

The ALLCOM(TM) ONE is a rugged Bluetooth remote speaker microphone that connects to any smartphone (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile). “You can use it with your walkie-talkie app, to listen to music or as a conference call device. All types of communication in one single accessory. That’s why we called it the ALLCOM ONE” says LeRoux.

Use of Push-To-Talk (PTT) over IP apps is growing rapidly. Apps such as Zello (www.zello.com) and Voxer (www.voxer.com) have been downloaded by millions of smartphone users worldwide. These walkie-talkie-style apps let users send short voice messages to other individuals or groups using the software. Peer-to-peer digital messaging is also enabled by other popular apps including WhatsApp and WeChat and are being used by over a billion people worldwide.

The ALLCOM(TM) ONE offers walkie-talkie-app users a hands-free way to communicate while keeping their phone in a safe place or on the charger.  Instant communication over PTT apps are typically brief. The nature of PTT communication – only one party can speak at a time – discourages users from rambling. Some calls last only 15-20 seconds but in many cases the participants have to carry their phone constantly in their hand or pull it out of a pocket and unlock it every time they want to say something or even hear what was being said. This can become a tedious and potentially dangerous process. With a portable Bluetooth speaker-microphone no messages will be unheard and the users can keep their phone in their pockets while being hands free.

In addition to the benefits for PTT-app users, the ALLCOM(TM) ONE also functions as a portable music loudspeaker. “The ALLCOM(TM) ONE uses A2DP technology which assures a loud and crisp sound. It is competitive with any leading Bluetooth loudspeaker from Jawbone, Bose or Jabra”  LeRoux  said. With the ability to mute and unmute the speaker over Bluetooth, the ALLCOM(TM) ONE has all necessary features for a home office or small business conference call device as well. “We built a smartphone accessory that is a professional grade device, yet it is useful for anyone, regardless of what you need your phone to be louder for.”

The ALLCOM(TM) ONE can help voice app developers win market share from Land-Mobile-RadiOS:

Most PTT apps are free to download and use. But in order to set up a private channel with enhanced enterprise features, businesses must buy a monthly subscription. Business users can be found within public and private transportation, warehouse management, logistics, safety, security and other sectors. Laws prohibit cellphone use while driving and in many cases being hands-free is a necessity to fulfill the job duties. For businesses, a rugged, fully functional accessory is a “must-have” if they want to use PTT-apps rather than traditional land-mobile-radiOS (LMR). “A smartphone using a PTT-app combined with a rugged accessory brings a win-win for any enterprise that relies on professional communication,” LeRoux said. “First, they save thousands of dollars in set-up fees compared to land-mobile-radio systems, and second, they get a better user-experience, because messages on smartphone PTT apps are never lost and can also be combined with location based services. Our product can help the PTT-app developers grow their business-customer base and together we can take market share from land-mobile-radio industry leaders like Motorola and others.” explains Maximilian LeRoux.

AINA-Wireless is pitching it’s product in 5 languages in an innovative global crowdfunding campaign:

The ALLCOM(TM) ONE has market-disrupting potential that will be put to its test by early adopters through a Kickstarter campaign starting on April 10th 2014 at 12pm EST. Most companies that develop and sell professional grade communication products distribute through a system of resellers that focus solely on business users. AINA-Wireless is taking a different approach.

“Millions of people have downloaded a walkie-talkie app for private use, but they have no access to adequate accessories,” LeRoux said. “A crowdfunding campaign is the best way for customers to get access to our device. For us it is a great opportunity to test the ALLCOM(TM) ONE with a tech-savvy and critical audience. The support and input from Kickstarter backers is going to have an immediate influence on our future product updates.” LeRoux says.

AINA-Wireless is seeking funding through Kickstarter worldwide. Voice and messenger apps are being used by more than a billion people around the globe. “Because we have a multifunctional product that answers to a global demand, we are also seeking support for our product globally. We want to show our appreciation by speaking to a broader audience in their native language.“ In the video for the Kickstarter campaign, AINA-Wireless CEO Maximilian LeRoux can be seen on camera in English, Chinese, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Languages that he had learned living and working in different functions around the world.

Invention closes the gap of Bluetooth standard and widens consumer choices:

There is no standard for Push-To-Talk over Bluetooth. Until now, any Bluetooth accessory could be connected to a smartphone, but it could only be used with a push-to-talk app when pressing the button on the phone and then speaking through the accessory. “That kills the purpose of an accessory and we changed that,” LeRoux said. With the current Bluetooth standard, PTT-commands cannot be sent over Bluetooth. To date, any developer of PTT-accessories would have to work with each app-developer to make the solution work. That has created a bottle-neck, and limited the customer’s ability to choose a preferred PTT-app, because the app might not work with their accessory. AINA-Wireless has developed a solution that makes the ALLCOM(TM) ONE agnostic to the PTT-app. AINA Wireless has a pending patent for the “MOBILE DEVICE CONTROL WITH EXTERNAL DEVICE (Publication #: US20130231055 A1).” Through this solution the user can assign which functions on the smartphone are controlled by each b uttons of the accessory. “This way anyone who needs an accessory can use the ALLCOM ONE, regardless of the voice app that the person is using” LeRoux explains.

ALLCOM(TM) ONE product details:

  • Compatible with Android, iOS, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry
  • The ALLCOM(TM) ONE is rugged and survives drops on concrete from about 2 meters, around 6 feet,
  • Ingress Protection of 67, which mean it is completely dust proof and can be submerged into 1m deep water for 30 minutes.
  • Waterproof Micro-USB connection for software updates and charging.
  • 2 PTT-buttons for the ability to be part of different talk-groups simultaneously
  • A2DP technology for a great music experience
  • Wide band audio and high power speaker
  • Speaker mute-on/mute-off function for conference calls
  • Loudspeaker with an estimated 100db
  • 3.5mm standard audio headset jack.
  • Battery life: est. 48 hours
  • Docking station (optional) for charging of one or more devices (docking stations are stackable).