Monday, April 29, 2013

Communication Apps for Travel


If you have ever traveled outside of the United States you will surely encounter the need if not the urge to reach out and talk or communicate with friends, family and co-workers. Even if you do not travel often you may have friends and contacts and like me business in other countries. So you really want affordable and easy to use mediums to communicate and stay in touch with your VIP’s. Here is a round-up of some cool apps that require web access and keep you in touch. Best of all the apps and the services are free or at very deep discounts!

Skype: Okay I am sure you have heard of this app. Telephone calls for free to anyone that has an account. Or discount calls to land lines almost anywhere in the world. Works on Wifi or 3G. Sends texts, Pics, Videos, and you can transmit attachments. Really good for very large attachments. You can use this on your iPad, computer or iPhone. I use it all the time for those international calls at pennies for the minute. On a smartphone, Skype will use cell phone minutes but if you have a computer or a tablet its Wifi only.

Talkatone: Nice app that requires you’re a gmail account user. Essentially uses your google voice account and the contacts already on your phone. The telephone pad looks just like the iPhone pad. All you need is Wifi access and voila, you’re talking away with your VIP’s; for free.  It does not use your cell phone minutes where google voice does. You can call or SMS text the US and Canada for free and international calls are at a discount.

Whatsapp: You’re on vacation and suddenly feel your thumbs are becoming weak from lack of texting. Or maybe you just want that intermittent interjection of how wonderful your vacation is and how rude the waiter was in Paris. No problem. Whatsapp uses your smartphone contacts and allows you to text other cell phone users anywhere in the world for free. Send Pics, audio notes or videos. Switch from SMS to exchange messages.

            So you say you don’t like being that connected. No worries, turn the phone off. On my next newsletter I will provide the top 10 excuses for not staying in touch during your vacation.

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