Technology plays an enormously instrumental role in connecting people worldwide. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become even more pressing with platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype and many others receiving great attention because of the ease of communication they offer.
I am constantly amazed by the apps available for making long-distance calls. These apps are not only suitable for businesses but also for connecting with one’s friends and family living in another part of the world. This article gives you a brief introduction to three of such apps and how they have changed my life in terms of staying connected with family and friends.
- SlickCall
SlickCall is an app designed to make your long-distance calls as seamless and comfortable as possible. I was a little jittery when I first came across it. But it turned out later that because of its intelligent software and innovative technology, it is quite a reliable way of connecting with people around the world. SlickCall uses Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology which allows people to reach anyone in the world at any time without any hassle.
A couple of factors encouraged me to add this app to my list of recommended platforms for communication. Firstly, it is affordable. The calling plans start from $1 and as soon as a person signs up for the app, a $5 credit is furnished to the user for free. Moreover, as SlickCall offers affordable VoIP call rates, a WiFi connection is not necessary for connecting with the desired party.
Secondly, the app is quite user-friendly. Once the app has been installed via Google Play Store or the App Store, the person is asked for their email ID for signing up. After the user enters the required credentials, they can easily choose their preferable calling plan.
- Skype
Skype has been downloaded over 1 billion times and is one of the most used phone apps in the world. It is the perfect tool to have a face-to-face conversation with a friend anywhere in the world. The app also offers low rate international calls when you are on the move.
These calls can be made easily without the need for a data plan or internet connection at very low rates.
This platform also offers plenty of features. For example, the app can be used both on desktops and other devices. The platform supports both audio and video calls along with a recording feature to capture precious moments. Moreover, the app also works as a messaging app wherein you can exchange text messages with your contacts.
It also enables the users to share videos, photos, files and documents up to a maximum of 300 MB. The @ mentions help to gain the attention of someone while texting. Overall, I think it is quite a suitable platform for communicating with people when you desire to share media or connect via text messages and audio/video calls.
- Viber
The third and last app on my list is Viber. Like other apps on this list, Viber can also be downloaded for free and allows its users to share video messages, pictures, send texts and make calls. It is supported by both computer and mobile. For using it, the user is asked to add their contact numbers. This phone number is used by the app as your identity. The app sends a PIN on your contact number through an SMS for the verification and activation of your account. After these steps are completed, the app helps you to find your friends by establishing a link with your contact list.
The app also offers an option of group chatting wherein friends, students etc can create groups to stay connected. Anyone can make a group and add their connections via an invitation to join. Only the members can leave the group. It means group administrators cannot remove people.
This app also offers quality video and audio calling experience at relatively low rates to as many as 60 countries. Moreover, while making calls, the recipient of the call doesn’t need to have a Viber account as the call is connected to the phone number. This app is also quite user-friendly and can be used as a good alternative.
So when you are far from home and cannot travel to see or talk to your family, these apps can help you to stay connected. I would suggest that you choose an app that works best for you and your needs.
