helloyellow: voice messaging and group chat for Playdate
Playdate owners now have a cute, lightweight way to chat using their handhelds. Developer Jon Simantov released helloyellow — an app that supports voice messages, group chats, achievement sharing and offline recording that sends once you reconnect. The app is available on itch.io with a free tier or a $5 full version.
helloyellow is focused on simple, fun communication for this niche device. Messages are sent over Wi‑Fi, but you can record while offline and they’ll upload when you reconnect. The free version caps messages at two minutes; the $5 full version extends that to 10 minutes.
Key features
- Voice messages: Send audio notes to friends — handy for short updates or reactions.
- Group chats & achievements: Create group conversations and share in‑game accomplishments with friends.
- Offline recording: Record while disconnected; messages queue and send when you’re back online.
- Friend system: Add contacts via hellocodes for quick, secure connections.
- Emoji reactions: A small emoji library lets you react to messages without recording a reply.
Who it’s for
This app is ideal for Playdate enthusiasts who want a compact, playful way to stay in touch without relying on phones. It’s especially useful for micro‑communities of friends who share a passion for indie handhelds and retro gaming aesthetics.
Where to get it
Download helloyellow from itch.io: https://itch.io. Look for the app by Jon Simantov to try the free version or purchase the $5 upgrade for longer messages.
Things to consider
- Friend adoption: The app is most fun if several people in your circle own a Playdate.
- Connectivity: Messages rely on Wi‑Fi to transmit; offline recording is a good fallback but may delay replies.
- Privacy & safety: Adding friends uses hellocodes — treat codes like invites and share only with people you trust.
Discussion: Would you use helloyellow to chat with friends on a Playdate, or is this the sort of niche feature that only works with a tight community? What would make a messaging app on a handheld indispensable for you?