Push to Talk for Activism, First Responders & Daily Use. Wil Nichols - From Belgium to Pittsburgh.

Wil Nichols lives in Pittsburgh but has been everywhere.

He is a multi-disciplinary designer and photographer and part of a team that builds communication tools for frontline workers at zello. Nichols is a multidisciplinary designer and photographer, and Director of Design at the game-changing push-to-talk company Zello.

We stumbled upon his creations through a series of fortunate events. He is very humble but exacting. I did some open-source investigating to learn more about his designs, collaborations, and his level of creativity is a matter of wonderment.

Nichols is unique; this publication focuses on things that make life splendid. We do so because there is so much negativity outside (Mass shootings, war, poverty, pollution, et al). We like life's little moments. It could be dancing deer in Dormont, wild turkeys in Turtle Creek or a block party fundraiser for a man needing a kidney. The best of Pittsburgh is the people of Pittsburgh doing what they can to improve our collective quality of life. Even a smile from a stranger counts.

History of push to talk.

What companies first manufactured push-to-talk mobile phones?

The first mobile phones with push-to-talk capabilities were manufactured by Nextel Communications, which was later acquired by Sprint in 2005.

The first push-to-talk mobile phone was the Motorola i1000plus, released in 1998 by Nextel. The push-to-talk feature quickly became popular among businesses and industries that required quick and efficient communication, such as construction, transportation, and public safety.

Other mobile phone manufacturers, such as Nokia and Samsung, started producing push-to-talk mobile phones in the early 2000s following the success of Nextel's technology. Today, push-to-talk communication is also available through various smartphone apps, such as zello

What is zello?

Zello is a push-to-talk (PTT) communication app that allows users to communicate with each other instantly, like a walkie-talkie, using their smartphone or desktop. Here are some details about Zello and how push-to-talk is useful:

1. Real-time Communication: Zello enables users to communicate in real time, like a two-way radio. Unlike traditional phone calls, users can instantly connect and start a conversation with just a button push.

2. Group Communication: Zello allows users to create or join different channels or groups. This makes it easy for teams or communities to communicate and coordinate in real time, regardless of location.

3. Easy-to-Use: Zello is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. The app is intuitive and requires minimal setup, making it accessible to anyone who needs to communicate quickly and efficiently.

4. Low Bandwidth: Zello uses minimal data and works even in low-bandwidth or poor network conditions, making it ideal for use in remote or rural areas or during natural disasters.

5. Cross-Platform: Zello works on Android and iOS smartphones, desktops, and laptops, allowing users to communicate from any device.

6. Security: Zello provides end-to-end encryption to ensure that all conversations are secure and private.

Overall, Zello and push-to-talk communication can be helpful in various situations where real-time communication and coordination are essential, such as in emergency response, transportation, logistics, construction, and event management.

---

Wil Nichols recently moved to Pittsburgh from zello headquarters in Austin. Like many brilliant designers, Nichols is slightly eclectic but not eccentric. He presents as calm and intentional. Nichols takes on extraordinary challenges. He enjoys overcoming obstacles, and his problem-solving mindset explains why he is such an astounding designer.

For example, even though he studied French as an undergrad, he moved to Belgium, where the dominant language is Flemish. Some people may think this life decision would yield perplexing, confusing, or stressful environments, but for Nichols, he welcomes things that don't necessarily fit within conventional or mainstream methods.

Tackling new obstacles feeds his drive to be challenged and prevail.

His photography conveys that people, places and culture are to be celebrated. His photo exhibits have no apparent organization, but I doubt this is intentional. Maybe subconsciously, he wants his art to randomized vs categorized.

This could stem from his disciplined work life (left brain). Thus, outside of work, his right brain kicks in with more arbitrary subjects yielding some therapeutic relief or an improved work-life balance to offset the rigors of technology work.

I'm not suggesting that his zello work doesn't necessitate right-brain attributes. I'm only speculating his zeal for living is rooted in an empirical base. If you scroll through his photography, it appears he's very observant. His photos are experiential, conveying spontaneity versus categorized and topical. But in his face-to-face dialogue, he is more factual and pragmatic.

Check out his work and website

He has a clever quote at the end of his website that captures his complex persona.

The quote goes, "I love you. Don't steal." He's referring to the problem in the internet age where

people snip photos from others without permission.