To begin with, the teletype function is practically not used in the modern world, and if it is used, it is extremely rare. Social networks and the Internet completely replaced it, but it remained in the factory settings of many smartphones. What is teletype and how to use it? And is it even necessary?
What is teletype mode in Android or iOS?
This feature is also called text phone mode, and it is used to send messages over the telephone line. Of course, a modern teletype has nothing to do with the huge device that this unit used to be. In order for this mode to work in iPhones, you need to install a special adapter, which can be bought in the Apple Store. For owners of Android smartphones, there are other alternative applications. Although often they simply are not needed.
For short, this mode is called TTY (teletypewriter). This is an option that is implemented in modern smartphones for people with weak speech or auditory abilities. Now it’s more or less clear what it is - teletype. But questions still remained.
How it works?
The principle of operation is extremely simple: communication takes place between two interlocutors. One person with poor speech ability has the ability to print text on the phone. This text is received by the person on the other side in audio format. It can also be the other way around: a person speaks, and his interlocutor at the other end sees the text.
That is, teletype converts speech into text and vice versa. For people with weak sound and speech capabilities, this option is very useful.
Do all phones support teletype?
Many models of modern smartphones support this mode, but not all. In order for it to be available in iPhones, you first need to buy a special adapter. After which the option itself will need to be activated in the settings.
If you need this mode, then when choosing a phone, you need to go into the settings and look for this option. If you ask sales consultants about this, they are unlikely to answer you in the affirmative and definitely, because few people are familiar with this function. But note that most modern smartphones support the mode.
How to enable and disable?
Given the fact that the mode is irrelevant, and its activated state consumes battery power, it will be useful to know how to disable the teletype on an iPhone. It is disabled by default. But in the settings in the "Phone" section there is a TTY mode. There you can both disable teletype and enable it. But most likely, this option will work only with a special adapter cable. Anyway, the mode should be supported by the service provider.
What is a teletype from history?
This device was developed a long time ago, and it was used in the Soviet era. This is a special electromechanical machine for printing and transmitting messages (text). If we give a modern analogy, then this is something like SMS.
The honor of invention and improvement of devices belongs to such engineers as Charles Crum, Royal House, Emil Bodo, David Hughes and others. The predecessor of the teletype are the so-called ticker devices developed back in 1870. They knew how to print text transmitted over wires.
Later, a global network was created, which was called the Telex network and was used during the twentieth century in the field of business communications. Some countries still use it for calculations, broadcast news, shipping, and even for military command. It is noteworthy that until the beginning of the 70s of the last century, it was thanks to the teletype that the exchange of messages between the US president and the leadership of the USSR was possible.
In the age of advancement of computer technology, teletypes were used as interactive computer terminals. At first, they were without displays, and users could enter information only after a special signal. This formed the command line interface and text terminals.
The popularity of teletypes began to decline in the 90s, however, even today there are radio amateurs who use this equipment. But today this is not necessary, because faxes, computers, high-speed networks and the Internet have supplanted these obsolete devices.
So the next time there is a debate about what it is - teletype, remember that this device has a great history, and this word means not only the mode of communication in a mobile phone.
By the way, in smartphones TTY has practically nothing to do with the classic teletype. It remains only the name itself, but in fact the function is completely different. The mechanism of signal processing and transmission has changed.
Output
In smartphones, teletype is used very rarely - either for pampering, or really to simplify communication between deaf and dumb people. The relevance of this technology today is doubtful, so there will be no progress in terms of developing and improving this mode. Some newer phones no longer have this feature. Given the rapid development of 3G and 4G networks and the capabilities of modern smartphones, you can transfer transformed text / voice using special applications. It will be faster and more convenient. What can we say about social networks, thanks to which even people with normal speech / hearing abilities prefer to communicate in text format! Well, about programs like Skype, too, must not be forgotten. They also open up opportunities for widespread communication, including for deaf-mute people (sign language, lip reading). And with all the wide choice of possibilities, it is not surprising that the teletype has sunk into oblivion.
Now you know what teletype is. Most likely, you do not need it, so turn it off. Activated mode consumes the smartphone’s battery in vain.