I’m sorry for using another picture from sunny Barbados for today’s blog post graphic, but you can’t blame a guy for trying to relive an incredible vacation that seems so long ago! If you joined us last week for “Sorry We’re on Vacation”, we discussed how to avoid paying enormous data charges when vacationing overseas. I told the story of our trip and the precautions we took. You’ll recall that my wife and I had no interest whatsoever in talking to people from the island paradise (sorry family)! But what if you wanted or needed to make a call? Is there an alternative to paying for an international calling plan from a cell phone provider? Luckily for us there is. Today, we’ll examine Viber, Talkatone, Google Voice, Tango, and Skype.
The first app for perusal is Viber. Viber requires the person you’re calling to have the app installed on their phone or computer as well in order for the call or text to be free. You can call a person who isn’t a Viber user, but it’ll cost you “a low rate.” I haven’t been able to find specifics as to what that rate is. Calls are made over 3G and Wi-Fi, so if your hotel has wireless Internet, you can place a call. Viber is completely ad free unlike some others coming up on our list. To use Viber, simply download the app from the App Store, Google Play, or download it from the Internet. There’s no need to register – just launch the app and enter the access code you receive via text message and you’re good to go. Viber will identify which of your contacts uses their service already and will list them in a “Viber” tab in your contact list in the app so there’s no question as to whether the call or text will be free. As is the case with all of these apps, be sure to open the app and place a call. Don’t do it the way you normally do or you’ll be charged.
Unlike Viber, Talkatone doesn’t require the person you’re trying to connect with to install their app. Launch the app and dial away! Calls and texts are made over 3G and Wi-Fi, and are free to make. You do have to listen to an advertisement before making a call. The Talkatone app is availabe via the App Store and Google Play, and can also be downloaded for Kindle Fire.
Google Voice is another option for calling and texting, but only here in the United States. If you have a Gmail account, you have a Google Voice account already. There are no apps to download, and Google Voice uses one number tied to you and not a device. You can choose a phone number via Google, and tie that number to your own cell phone number. Basically, Google will receive calls through its own number, then you can choose which phone you want to ring based on your own settings. Pretty cool! There is no app for your smart phone because everything is set up through your desktop computer or laptop. You will need to listen to advertisements before your call will go through. Google Voice is helpful also if you want to advertise a phone number but don’t want to plaster your own private number all over the world.
Tango is slightly more advanced than those previously mentioned, because you can make texts and calls with 3G, Wi-Fi, and 4G. To put it simply, 4G is faster than 3G, and better quality is achieved. Tango is most similar to Viber in that you can connect with others for free who also have the Tango app on their device. A big contrast with others is that Tango is also a social network. You can comment, like, and share photos as you would on Facebook, yet follow performers like on Twitter or Youtube. You can even share music through Spotify! On a phone call that drags on and on? Play some games. Pretty amazing stuff.
Lastly, we look at Skype. Boy are my wife and I familiar with Skype! As my girlfriend and then fiancee, she went to school in Mississippi. Every night we’d be on our web cameras talking on Skype and getting frustrated when the video quality wasn’t the best and my damn camera would act up. Woah, that’s an aggravating flashback! Again, the person you wish to call must have the Skype app if you want to make a free call or free video chat. There are too many features in Skype to list them all, but know that you can call internationally either by paying for a subscription or paying as you go. If you pay as you go, calls to mobile and landline are 2.3 cents per minute, while subscriptions with unlimited calling range from $2.99 to $13.99 per month. Props to Skype for actually laying out their prices.
If you want to call home “From the Wild”, or just from a serene beach such as the one pictured, there are plenty of options. Not to be overlooked though, these apps can also be installed on your tablet or iPod to turn that into a phone here at home as well! Isn’t technology great? Embrace it, don’t fear it.