The holiday season is here with us, and what better way to spend it than with loved ones. Most people would love to have face-to-face time with friends and family; unfortunately, for one reason or another, they may not be able to make it home for the holidays. Luckily, technological alternatives have made it possible to stay in touch no matter where you are in the world. So, whether you are working internationally, travelling, or studying overseas, here are some of the best apps to help you stay connected with loved ones this Christmas:
Whatsapp is one of the most popular cross-platform mobile messaging apps across the globe. It lets you send and receive unlimited messages, photos, audio recordings, and videos -all for free if you have an internet connection. With everyone having access to an internet connection, thanks to several free Wi-Fi hotspots, keeping in touch at Christmas has never been easier and cheaper. The app informs you when your message has been received, plus you can share your location on Google Maps. It also has a group chat feature that allows you to communicate with all your family members at the same time. Whatsapp is available on Android, iOS, Nokia, BlackBerry, and Windows smartphones.
Skype covers all forms of communication -so long as you have a data connection. Feature-wise, it allows for face-to-face video calls, voice calls, text messaging, file sharing, group video call, and a whole lot more. With the group video call service, you can chat with up to 25 users at once. This is ideal for those looking for some quality time with loved ones in different parts of the world; so long as, some are willing reschedule their sleeping time. Skype-to-Skype communications are free. And, the app works on a wide range of devices, including phones, tablets, Macs, PCs, and even TVs.
Viber works over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G to send and receive text messages, voice messages, photos, and videos to anyone in the world. It also sends current locations, which can be a great way for loved ones to know of each other’s whereabouts. Keeping in touch at Christmas is also made easy with the group chat feature. It allows you to communicate with up to 100 people at once, which can be a great way for many loved ones to get together at the same time. Viber-to-Viber calls are free. And, the app is available for Android, iOS, MAC, Nokia, BlackBerry, and Windows smartphones.
WeChat is another great international calling app that lets you connect easily with loved ones across the globe. This all-in-one app encompasses all forms of communication, including multimedia messaging, group chat & calls, as well as, high-quality free voice and video calls. It features hundreds of free and fun animated stickers to help you express your feelings to loved ones over the festive season. And, don’t forget to use your personal photo stream to share your best Christmas moments. WeChat users can also make cheap international calls in certain regions. The app supports 20 different languages and can translate messages into any language. The real-time location feature tells others where you are. Being away from home doesn’t mean you have to spend Christmas alone; therefore, use the ‘Shake’ feature to meet new friends to enjoy the festivities with.
All you need with this international calling app is a strong internet connection (4G, 3G, Wi-Fi, or LTE) to make free Yolla-to-Yolla calls. Although app-to-app calls are free, there are several instances that will require you to dial an international number. Take an example of older parents or grandparents who may not have access to smartphones or don’t know how to operate one, or you have loved ones who haven’t connected to Wi-Fi or installed the Yolla app yet, or your roaming connection fails. No matter the situation, Yolla app ensures you stay in touch without any interruptions. Make cheap international calls to landlines and mobiles across the globe. With Yolla, there are no hidden charges or connection fees as users pay rates shown on the screen before calling. You also get a chance to earn additional credits to call by inviting friends to join the app. Enjoy calling abroad and stay connected this festive season with the Yolla calling app.