New iPhone App Lets Users Talk To Each Other

The latest blockbuster iPhone application, or "app," is Squawky-Talky, an application that allows users to broadcast their voice in real-time to other iPhone owners.

"It's pretty cool," noted iPhone user Josh Carlisle, 20, of Freehold, N.J. "I was going to text my buddy Todd, but then I used this app and we were able to talk to each other. I was like, Dude, it's Josh!and Todd was like, Dude!

"Did I mention it was pretty cool?" asked Carlisle.

The $2.99 application has been downloaded more than 150,000 times since its release last month, but, like many iPhone apps, it has been the subject of some controversy.

"It's very annoying to have to listen to these people yak at each other," said Randy Peregrine, 24, of Dallas, Tex., referring to the Squawky-Talky users. "I find it distracting when I'm trying to shake my baby to death."

Steve Jobs

Upon further questioning, Peregrine explained that he was referring to Baby Shaker, the iPhone app recently banned by Apple, and not an actual baby. "I'm not some sicko," he said.

Probably of greater concern, though, is the assertion by the Better Business Bureau that the app doesn't do anything that the iPhone can't already do when you buy it - namely, allow you to talk to people.

But William Breniger, who designed the Squawky-Talky app, takes issue with that claim. "For one thing, when you use our app to talk to somebody, the screen turns a very subtle shade of red," he noted.

"Plus, when you use Squawky-Talky, you're not just making a call - you're squawkin', baby!," he added, pointing to the lettering on his "You're Squawkin' Baby!" t-shirt.

Apple, for its part, has said it has no plans to pull the app. "We are really only concerned about applications that contain obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content, or endangered babies, or that make fun of Jesus," said Apple spokesperson Kerri Henderson. "Also, Nine Inch Nails. They just suck."

Meanwhile, consumers don't seem to have a problem with the app, although that may be because they're uninformed. When told that he could talk to people with his iPhone even without Squawky-Talky, Josh Carlisle responded with surprise.

"Whoa. I thought it was just for Web surfing and making fart noises," he said. "I have got to squawk Todd about this."