Covid-19 or not it’s good to know how to stay connected using online tools and hi-tech gadgets. All you need to start is your smartphone and internet connection.
It’s the end of March and we are in the full-scale COVID-19 virus, quarantine, stay at home, work from home, stay 6ft away, keep physical distance mode. Not easy to deal with it. It’s getting more lonely with every passing day if you don’t have easy contact with your family members, friends, or neighbors.
There are a few ways to stay connected and communicate with others online. Here a list of devices and applications you can use:
Gear/Devices
- Smartphone – with iOS system (iPhone) or the Android system (Samsung, LG, Motorola, etc.) you need to check your AppStore (iPhone) or Google PlayStore and download one of the apps that you want to use
- Tablet – similar step to those on the smartphone
- Laptop/desktop computer – some of the video chat applications offer also website-based
- Webcam – not every monitor (desktop computer) has a webcam so to be able for others to see you, you need a webcam
- Internet connection – to be able to connect with others via video chat applications you will need an internet connection. It could be Wi-Fi that you have at home or mobile internet connection (on your smartphone)
Applications
- Facebook Messenger – works on both iOS (iPhone) and Android (Samsung, LG, Pixel, One+, etc.). You need to download the app on your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) or use it as a part of www.Facebook.com. You can join a group video chat or just an audio call. If you already have a Facebook profile, you have access to Facebook Messenger. Visit Facebook Messenger website (click here).
- Instagram – group video chat available. You can use it on your mobile device after downloading Instagram app. Visit Instagram website (click here)
- WhatsApp – available on both iOS and Android mobile devices and on desktop computers. Fully encrypted application. Very popular among people all over the world. All you need is: download the application (it will connect your mobile phone with the app) and then you use it as an audio/video/text app. Visit WhatsApp website (click here).
- Skype – available on both iOS and Android. One of the first audio and video chat applications available on the market. You can use it on your mobile device or desktop computer. Skype also offers additional features (using Skype designated number you can make international calls phone to phone, etc.). Visit Skype website (click here)
- FaceTime – available only on iOS (Apple products). It’s a very user-friendly video chat app. No “bell and whistles” just simple video chat. Visit FaceTime website (click here)
- Google Duo – simple video chat available on Android devices (Samsung, Motorola, LG, Pixel, One+, etc.). Very user-friendly and similar to FaceTime but available on both operation systems. The app will connect to your phone number and get sync with your contacts to automatically recognize who uses Google Duo app as well. Visit Google Duo website: https://duo.google.com/
- Zoom – this application is available on iOS and Android. You can also use it by visiting www.zoom.us Very useful for more business-related video conference.
There are more applications you can use, those listed above are rather on the user-friendly side. Which one to choose, which one is right for you? Just check what you have already downloaded on your mobile device. Ask people (friends, family, etc.) what they use the most. Visit YouTube.com for many video-tutorials on how to use specific applications. That might be a good starting point to learn how to use it.
In case you need more information on COVID-19 and how to stay safe, please visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC.gov and World Health Organization – WHO.int
Stay at Home. Stay Safe
