Bug 421495

Summary:	Feature request: push-to-talk (PTT) for recording streams/microphones
Product:	[Applications] kmix	Reporter:	Matthias Hartmann <mahartma>
Component:	general	Assignee:	Christian Esken <esken>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	wishlist	CC:	jared, lebedev.ri, mahartma, oded, pavel23dob, stevemcqueen, voidpointertonull+bugskdeorg, winblocker
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Other
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Matthias Hartmann 2020-05-14 02:55:09 UTC

SUMMARY
While using different kinds of video/audio conferencing software every day I realized the need of a push-to-talk (PTT) shortcut for muting and unmuting recording streams, or more specific, microphones. Since not every conferencing software supports configuring PTT, it might be a great feature for KDE.

Adding PTT could be accomplished by enabling users to set global push-to-talk options and a global shortcut and then activate PTT for specific recording streams.

Potential options for PTT could be (imspired by mumble):
- DoublePush Time: If you press the PTT shortcut twice in this period of time, push-to-talk will be "locked" and the microphone active until you press the shortcut once again, to mute the microphone
- Hold Time: The time the microphone stays activated after releasing the shortcut, to avoid that words could be cut off when releasing the key too early

This feature could also enhance security because PTT is not controlled by conferencing software itself, but on OS level.

Comment 1 stevemcqueen 2021-12-17 22:35:51 UTC

Not sure if "me too!" comments are allowed, but I'd also really like this feature.

Comment 2 winblocker 2022-02-25 14:38:08 UTC

This bug should have its category/component changed to systemsettings/kcm_keys.

Other than that i agree that such a feature would be most welcome. This would also speed up the process of transitioning software that utilizes PTT to a wayland environment because it avoids getting multiple parties to agree on a common approach. If we have to wait for everyone (wayland protocol, wayland desktops, and client software) to implement a new standard we might be another 10 years down the road.

Comment 3 Pedro V 2024-09-29 14:37:06 UTC

A more generic feature of allowing shortcuts separately for key down and key up events would at least partially cover this.

Not a push-to-talk solution, but I'm mostly happily using the Microphone Mute shortcut for this kind of need.

Regarding the enhanced security remark, I wouldn't assume to have extra security if it wouldn't be explicitly added. A regular audio mute can be undone by programs in general, Plasma interfaces don't have extra privileges, a command like `pactl set-source-mute 666 0` works as well.