Voxer, Whatsapp, FB messenger, Skype, Facetime, Google Hangout

I have this problem: I want to stay in touch with my friends when I travel. I get homesick and communicating with random strangers just isn’t enough sometimes.

I remember the days when I had these things called “pen-pals”. It’s a really old-skool thing where you would meet someone (or they would be assigned to you) and you would hand-write a physical letter to them. Then, because this wasn’t laborious enough you had to (also) write the address (perfectly and clearly) on the envelope, and place the letter (with a stamp that you magically found) in something called a “mailbox”.

Now we have email. But this isn’t enough, sometimes. I realize how much of a first-world-problem this sounds like. Stick with me for a minute.

We also have texting- but when you’re traveling internationally, this is also expensive (for me). Also, hearing my friend’s voice made such a difference on my own morale (there’s some sort of science behind this, I’m sure). So I’ve made it a mission to find/try every type of (free) communication device/app out there. Here is what I’ve found:

 

Skype: 

I’ve been using Skype since 2008 when I moved to Canada and wanted to call my (only) friends. The only thing I remember about Canada was how miserable I was and how I blame the whole entire nation for that (I’m mature!). Since then, I have stuck with Skype for a few friends and international calling.

• SUPER EASY to figure out and use.
• If you call skype-to-skype, it’s free.
• If you call skype-to-phone number, the prices and quality (depending on your internet) is decent.
• Depending on the hour/internet connection, the video can be really great or really crappy. (Compared against Google Hangout)
• The “SMS” service (skype messenger) is reliable, fast and decent. It does auto-correct your crap, though.
• The iphone app keeps getting better all the time.
• No group calls (that I know of)

 

Google Hangout:

I started using Google Hangout because Skype was becoming increasingly more difficult and un-reliable. Especially through Central America. Few things to note: I’m not aware of an app-meaning that you have to log in on a tablet/computer to use GH. The learning curve is really steep, but once you have it, you got it. I should note that I’m not really a gmail user by default, so maybe that is the reason why.

• Only allows GoogleHangout-to-GoogleHangout. (no phone support, that I know of).
• They have a different video algorithm. Can’t say/decide if it’s better or worse. Sometimes it was great, others it was lousy.
• The audio quality is ok. (not as good as a good-skype day, though)
• You can give yourself funny hats/faces.
• Allows group-chats – up to something redunk like 500 people or something- this makes live-chats/interviews possible.

 

FaceTime: 

I jumped on the apple bandwagon as soon as I heard that Siri could tell you where to hide the dead bodies.  Apple keeps improving their communication-devices/capabilities, and I’ll try that stuff, too. I have friends that use facetime all the time and told me to try it, but I just never did- until I was in the Philippines.

• The facetime Audio is the best quality that I’ve found out of all voip (voice over IP) services.
• Very easy to figure out. (only if you have an i-device)
• You forget that someone can see you pick your nose.

 

Voxer: 

When I returned to the states, my friend’s phone kept going off like a walkie-talkie. The old kind from sprint. Remember those? I asked her what was going on and she exclaimed with glee: “Oh-em-gee! It’s this new app called Voxer! It’s great for when you are too drunk and can’t text anymore but you need to whisper-tell your girlfriends about the douche-canoe at the bar!”

I was sold-and downloaded it immediately. Not just for the drunk factor, but also when I’m taking a long-road trip and want to send a message- but it don’t necessarily need to call them, I can Vox them! Here are my favorite features:

• Slight learning curve (to set up) but really easy after that.
• a “push to record a message” function. Can’t get much easier than that.
• You can tag your messages (location)
• The app tells you when your message has been delivered and listened to.
• You can “listen in real time” (basically, talking over Wifi)- except it forces you to listen actively because you can’t talk until they are done talking. (Good relationship practice!)
• Downloading the message/sending/forwarding it onto your email/text is possible. (If I ever make a podcast, it’ll be full of Voxer stories). (Whatsapp doesn’t do this)
• Ability to text, send pictures, videos, etc as well.
• Forwarding messages is possible.
• Group chats is possible.
• Messages are stored on a cloud (forever….?)
• It “connects” once and downloads all your messages in 1-go. If someone has sent you multiple messages it plays them right after the other automatically. (Whatsapp doesn’t do this)
• “Notes to self” is also available- where you can, you guessed it! record notes for yourself! (Whatsapp doesn’t do this).
• Finding users is dependent on them looking you up by a user name that is given to you. (Whatsapp uses a phone number).

I have to say that I use Voxer as my most preferred device- because of the download feature. I use it for my podcast friend (Misti), my brother- who is now living in London, friends who live in Baltimore, Seattle, and down the street. I also use the “notes to self” religiously whenever I’m out/about and don’t feel like writing something down.

Whatsapp: 

Another “Walkie-talkie Messenger” app service that is the popular-version of Voxer. Here’s my beef with it:

• Does everything above (unless stated)
• You need to download each message before it plays (and hit “play” on the message).
• Pictures that are sent via Whatsapp are saved in your PhotoLibrary. (kinda cool!)
• Again, you find a friend on Whatsapp via a phone number, not an ID of some sort. (yay!)

Facebook Messenger:

So, I was late to the party, mostly out of annoyance to FB for shoving their app down my throat every 2 seconds, but my friend Craig finally convinced me of downloading FBMessenger. How? Because he sent me a voice-message- not just text. Just like Voxer/Whatsapp- except it goes off your facebook friends.

• Only goes from Facebook-To-Facebook (that I know of)
• It really wants you to have notifications!!! (Even though I don’t want to turn it on, the “reminder screen” pops up every time.)
• Syncs to your contacts in your phone (not sure why).
• You can’t save/forward messages.
• Group chats are possible.
• Tagging chats is possible. (don’t know why you would do this, but whatevs).
• It’s a separate app from Facebook.

 

So, if you’re traveling, and you’re homesick, and you want some options on how to stay in contact with people- try some of these out. I’m still a fan of Voxer- but the others are good alternatives. Also- did I mention that they are all FREE? (cause they are!)