Smartphones are great until they are not. Sometimes you just want to press a button and instantly talk to someone without fumbling through apps, unlocking screens, or praying for decent cell service. That is where walkie talkies still shine, and now Midland is trying to modernize the concept with a tiny wearable communicator called CLIPTALK.
The company’s new CLIPTALK device is basically a mini walkie talkie designed to clip onto your shirt, collar, lanyard, or badge. Midland says it weighs just one ounce and measures only 2.5 inches long, making it far less annoying than the chunky radios many workers still wear at restaurants, retail stores, and events.
What makes CLIPTALK interesting is that Midland seems to understand people are tired of cords dangling everywhere. The included headset connects without the usual messy wire running down your shirt to a belt-mounted radio. If you have ever worked retail or hospitality, you probably know exactly how irritating those cords can be when they snag on drawers, shelves, or door handles.
The radios use license-free FRS channels, so there is no complicated setup involved. Users get access to 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, including 38 CTCSS and 83 DCS codes. Midland also says the units can communicate up to a mile away, though real-world range will obviously depend on obstacles and interference. Folks expecting a flawless one-mile connection inside a giant convention center may want to manage expectations a bit.
There are some surprisingly modern features here too. Automatic noise canceling can be toggled on or off, while VOX voice activation supports nine sensitivity levels for hands-free communication. Additional features such as Roger Beep and adjustable squelch settings can also be configured through Midland’s optional mobile app (iOS and Android). The company is clearly trying to drag the humble walkie talkie into the smartphone era.
Battery life is rated at up to eight hours, and charging happens through USB-C. Interestingly, the device includes dual USB-C connectors for both charging and headset support. Midland says charging takes roughly 1.5 hours using a standard 5V USB-C power source. Power output is rated at 300mW.
The hardware itself sounds thoughtfully designed too. Midland equipped CLIPTALK with a spring-loaded 360-degree rotating alligator clip and an ergonomically designed headset intended for extended wear. The interface is also supposed to be simple enough that normal people can use it without needing to study a radio enthusiast forum for three hours beforehand.
I am not even going to pretend this thing is not incredibly nerdy. A tiny wearable walkie talkie with app controls, privacy codes, USB-C charging, configurable squelch settings, and hands-free communication? This feels like the sort of gadget many NERDS.xyz readers will suddenly convince themselves they absolutely need despite having no real reason to own one. I can already picture nerdy dads using these at Costco while pretending they are coordinating a tactical operation.
CLIPTALK is available here in both two-pack and six-pack configurations. The two-pack costs $109.99, while the six-pack costs $329.99. Both bundles include the radios, clips, earpieces, charging cables, and a two-year warranty.
