History Main / CommLinks

[[folder:Fanfiction]]

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Early in ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', [[TheSmartGuy Billy]] made everyone wristwatch communicators that also happened to tap into their mentor's teleportation system (which was as much a surprise to Billy as the others). They lasted from the original series through ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace.'' Later Ranger teams had either wrist-mounted or cellphone morphers that had communications built in, though separate wrist communicators made a comeback for ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'' and ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers''. Distance never seems to be a problem.

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Early in ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', [[TheSmartGuy Billy]] made everyone wristwatch communicators that also happened to tap into their mentor's teleportation system (which was as much a surprise to Billy as the others). They lasted from the original series through ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace.'' Later Ranger teams had either wrist-mounted or cellphone morphers that had communications built in. Distance never seems to be a problem.

* {{Green Lantern}}s can use their rings to communicate with each other.

* On ''Series/BlakesSeven'', the bracelets that allowed the protagonists to teleport to and from the Liberator also served as communicators. Some commlinks used by the Federation were pressed against the throat like an electrolarynx.

[[folder:Fan Works]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' had cell phone-like devices which from ''[[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]]'' onwards were built into the Starfleet badges. In "How Creator/WilliamShatner Changed the World", Motorola chief engineer and inventor of the cell phone Martin Cooper states that he invented the cell phone because he wanted a [[TruthInTelevision real life Star Trek communicator.]]
* ''Series/{{Farscape}}''
** The crew of Moya have small badge-like communicators which are threaded through Moya. It also fits the "patch into other networks" as, in the ([[WrapItUp pre-miniseries]]) GrandFinale, John uses his to talk to his dad through the phone...''from the Moon''.
** In "Thanks for Sharing", a waitress hands Crichton a long black buzzing device. Crichton wants to know if this is a sexual proposition. Chiana takes the device and twists it to form a telephone.
* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'' has Hardison inventing an earpiece in the pilot that everyone on the team uses throughout the first season to keep in contact over surprisingly vast distances.
** When they spot similar earpieces used by another crew, someone points out that they're like Hardison's. Hardison immediately takes offense and claims that no one has hardware like his.

* The B5 spinoff series ''Series/{{Crusade}}'' had bracelet variants, otherwise similar in function to the units used in the original show.
* Early in ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', [[TheSmartGuy Billy]] made everyone wristwatch communicators that also happened to tap into their mentor's teleportation system (which was as much a surprise to Billy as the others). They lasted from the original series through ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace.'' Later Franchise/PowerRangers teams had either wrist-mounted or cellphone morphers that had communications built in. Distance never seems to be a problem.
* A TV series named ''Series/{{Search}}'' had agents with remote TV cameras that would fit onto a cuff-link or tie-tac, and implanted voice communications. Oh yes, the TV cameras weren't limited to visible light. The pilot was originally titled Probe, not to be confused with the 1988 series or the obscure public TV series that forced its change of title.
* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' 2009 Easter special, the Doctor finds a pair of "internal comms" lying around, one of which he gives to the ClassyCatBurglar before she does her MissionImpossibleCableDrop sequence into the depths of the ship.
** [[FridgeLogic Comms that fit perfectly into the humanoid ear, despite being owned by insectoid aliens with the heads of flies.]]
* Happens occasionally in ''Franchise/KamenRider'', predominantly in ''[[Series/KamenRider555 555]]'' where all five Riders have fully-functioning cell phones as their TransformationTrinket. ''[[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O]]'' has the Keitaros cell phone which activates [[SuperMode Climax Form]], but a more literal example is Hana's otherwise ordinary cell, which can apparently connect with the phone in the dining car of the time-traveling [=DenLiner=].
* In ''Series/KnightRider'', Michael communicates with KITT and Devon through use of comm links. When outside of KITT, this device is in his wrist watch, which also has camera and scanner functions when KITT needs more info than what Michael can describe. KITT himself has a comm link in the console.
** The remake replaces the watch with an earpiece.
* In ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'', the crew of the ''[[CoolStarship Andromeda Ascendant]]'' use comms implanted into their necks. They work over long distances and allow them to communicate with the ship in orbit. Also, they can apparently record and transmit video while being [[FridgeLogic implanted]] (possibly tapping into the visual nerve for video). Not really used on the ship, as the AI can route calls there.
* The ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' team has Bluetooth-like devices in their ears. It is not made clear whether they are regular Bluetooth attachments (i.e., they keep their cell phones hidden), slightly modified Earth technology, or completely ImportedAlienPhlebotinum made to look like Earth tech. Any or all of which would be perfectly plausible in the [[Series/DoctorWho Whoniverse]].
* ''Series/{{UFO}}'' episode "Computer Affair". When a team of SHADO troops is sent in on foot to attack a UFO, the leader communicates with his superiors with a "wrist radio" version, complete with extendable antenna.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* This is the essence of what two-way radios are for. Modern radios can include a variety of features including selectable frequencies, programmable encryption, and even the ability to get around enemy jamming. You could program a radio so that you could talk to specific people by flipping a dial to a specific pre-set channel, though it's not quite the same as just saying who you want to talk to. In fact, modern mobile phones are simply two-way radios designed to call into a network trunk tied into the landline telephone system.

* ''Series/{{Farscape}}'': the crew of Moya have small badge-like communicators which are threaded through Moya. It also fits the "patch into other networks" as, in the ([[WrapItUp pre-miniseries]]) GrandFinale, John uses his to talk to his dad through the phone...''from the moon''.

* Happens occasionally in ''Franchise/KamenRider'', predominantly in ''[[Series/KamenRiderFaiz Faiz]]'' where all five Riders have fully-functioning cell phones as their TransformationTrinket. ''[[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O]]'' has the Keitaros cell phone which activates [[SuperMode Climax Form]], but a more literal example is Hana's otherwise ordinary cell, which can apparently connect with the phone in the dining car of the time-traveling [=DenLiner=].

[[quoteright:300:[[Film/StarTrek https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/spock_comm_4436.jpg]]]]

* The codec system in ''Franchise/MetalGear'', which was so advanced there was no external component, only a system of nanites.

Sometimes cell-phone-like (and indeed, in works set in [[ThePresentDay the present]], cell phones [[SuperCellReception usually fill this role]]), sometimes small enough to be worn on the shirt or in the ear.

* DC's ''Comicbook/{{Legion Of Super-Heroes}}'' has several variants, most notably the omnicom, which is essentially an [=iPhone=] on steroids and which was introduced decades before cellular phones were developed. Various incarnations of the Legion have also incorporated hyperspace communications into their flight rings, and "telepathic earplugs" which serve as a combination comlink and UniversalTranslator.

* Creator/EEDocSmith's [[Literature/{{Lensman}} Lens]] is an uber-example of this, combining instantaneous communication, translation, code-breaking and identification functions. The latter is very, very specific - a particular Lens is matched uniquely to an individual wearer's mind, and attempting to wear or even handle one that isn't yours is instantly lethal (it disintegrates upon death to avoid being a permanent menace).

* A fairly realistic example in ''Literature/TheAuthorities''. The titular team maintains constant communication, when in the field, even with those members of the team who remain in their HQ. This is done via a custom-made smartphone (running an enhanced version of Android) paired with earpieces, which are molded to an individual's ear. The phone bill must be ridiculous, but the team is well-funded by a billionaire, who spares no expense. The comms are also necessary, since [[spoiler:one member of the team is unable to communicate normally and uses sophisticated technology in her helmet to pick up on her mouth movements and generate speech via the network]].

* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' is the TropeMaker here. The original series had cell phone-like devices, while ''[[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]]'' onwards had them built into the Starfleet badges.
** No, [[{{Defictionalization}} the modern world has Star Trek Communicator-like devices]]. In "How Creator/WilliamShatner Changed the World", Motorola chief engineer and inventor of the cell phone Martin Cooper states that he invented the cell phone because he wanted a [[TruthInTelevision real life Star Trek communicator.]]

* In ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'', the crew of the ''[[CoolShip Andromeda Ascendant]]'' use comms implanted into their necks. They work over long distances and allow them to communicate with the ship in orbit. Also, they can apparently record and transmit video while being [[FridgeLogic implanted]] (possibly tapping into the visual nerve for video). Not really used on the ship, as the AI can route calls there.

* In ''Series/{{Warehouse 13}}'', the team have cellphones, but for contacting the Warehouse they use Farnsworths, which are {{dieselpunk}}y {{Video Phone}}s that never lose a signal (which helps because the Warehouse blocks normal cell phone signal), invented by Philo Farnsworth himself. They're also unhackable, which doesn't stop Claudia trying to hack hers in order to give it a cool ringtone. Being invented in the early 20th century, they only transmit in black-and-white, but appear to have HD quality. We are also never shown anyone actually dialing different Farnsworths.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' has an awesome variation. Apparently, on the second world, communicators come in the form of ''grass''.

* The team in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' has ear-bead communication systems with enough range to contact a starship in orbit.

* ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' features a CommLink with an effective range of one ''light year'', that also ''triples'' as a translation device and an impromptu but powerful ''explosive''.
** FridgeBrilliance: Any device powerful enough to broadcast over one light year would have to put several kilowatts into its signal, and thus would need correspondingly powerful batteries. Ever heard of cell phone batteries bursting into flames? The exploding communicator would be the same thing turned UpToEleven.

* Static and Richie (later [[GadgeteerGenius Gear]]) in ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' make gadgets called Shock Boxes, which work like walkie talkies. In one episode, Static managed to use his powers to [[TimTaylorTechnology boost their range to across the planet]], somehow.

* This is, of course, the essence of what two-way radios are for. Modern radios can include a variety of features including selectable frequencies, programmable encryption, and even the ability to get around enemy jamming. You could program a radio so that you could talk to specific people by flipping a dial to a specific pre-set channel, though it's not quite the same as just saying who you want to talk to. In fact, modern mobile phones are simply two-way radios designed to call into a network trunk tied into the landline telephone system.

* On ''Series/BlakesSeven'', the bracelets that allowed the team to teleport to and from the Liberator aslo acted as Comm Links.

* One of the older examples is the Phonophor in the german Science Fiction Novel Heliopolis, which is a communications and tracking device and also works as a futuristic rankpin. (Similar to the rankpins in Star Trek TNG. )

** GathcamanCrowds changed this so that the TransformationTrinket is a notebook (called a Note) that the Gatchamen can write into to communicate with one another.

* ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies''. The girls use a Compowder to communicate (so called because it looks like a make-up kit, which often contain powder puffs).

* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' is the TropeMaker here. The original series had cell phone-like devices, while [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]] onwards had them built into the Starfleet badges.

* Early in ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', [[TheSmartGuy Billy]] made everyone wristwatch communicators that also happened to tap into their mentor's teleportation system (which was as much a surprise to Billy as the others). They lasted from the original series through ''PowerRangersInSpace.'' Later Franchise/PowerRangers teams had either wrist-mounted or cellphone morphers that had communications built in. Distance never seems to be a problem.

* In a StarTrekExpandedUniverse novel, Mackenzie Calhoun is given, among other things, a newly-developed communicator that can send and receive messages over enormous distances by piggybacking on any carrier wave. Mac first tests it by accident when he jokingly says "Mackenzie to Jellico" and hears Admiral Jellico on the other end a second later, even though Jellico is on another planet.

* The ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' team has Bluetooth-like devices in their ears. It is not made clear whether they are regular Bluetooth attachments (i.e., they keep their cell phones hidden), slightly modified Earth technology, or completely ImportedAlienPhlebotinum made to look like Earth tech.

* This is, of course, the essence of what two-way radios are for. Modern radios can include a variety of features including selectable frequencies, programmable encryption, and even the ability to get around enemy jamming. You could program a radio so that you could talk to specific people by flipping a dial to a specific pre-set channel, though it's not quite the same as just saying who you want to talk to.