Your smartphone is a remarkable, nifty gadget. From epub readers that pack along a mini library everywhere you go, to apps that allow you to shop with discounts at your favorite stores, your smartphone has gone a long way from its humble call and text beginnings. Make sure you don’t miss out on the best features. When it comes to keeping and staying in touch, you can add even more functionality to your unit by downloading apps for video conferencing. Here are some options you might want to consider for yours go-to Android device:
ooVoo
Want something easy and hassle-free? This system allows you to call up to twelve of your pals at once. It’s free for Android, meaning you can save on money if you aren’t sure about using this app. It also merges your phone and Facebook contacts into one place, making it easier for you to find a friend or make a call. If you want a way to stay connected with your contact list, this is a good choice for you.
Blue Jeans
If you need Android video conferencing for IT, Blue Jeans offers a range of features designed for companies and startups. It’s a great tool for businesses, and given the HD clarity of its video, it’s perfect for companies that want to encourage greater collaborative work between geographically dispersed teams. The best part about the system is that it’s easy to use and install, ensuring your team enjoys shorter down times and faster user adoption.
Skype
This one shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s such a long-standing name in chat app history that it already has about 299 million users today. The best thing about it is that if you and your contact both have Skype accounts, then you can take advantage of a number of services, free of charge. Need something more suited for a business call, though? You might have to pay the full freight there to to access Skype for business, says Search Engine Journal. But if you’re happy with the standard range of services—voice chat, instant messaging and video chat, among others—and won’t need much of anything else, then this is a solid option for you.
Tango
Hate passwords? Hate them a lot? You’re not alone. There’s probably a million people who forget their passwords on a daily basis. It’s a good thing that Tango exists. It’s easy to use so that’s one point on the plus column. Its main selling point is that it doesn’t require any passwords, so you only have to enter your phone number, address, and your first name to log in. It’s convenient, especially if you have your settings to do autofill, so you don’t have to type all that every single time. Want some fun and games? You can play tic tac toe or darts with your friends during your conversations. How cool is that? It’s not going to take the place of a real game, but if your friend lives and works halfway across the world, then it’s a good enough substitute until you see each other next.
Google Hangouts
So long as you have a Gmail account, then you’re good to go. There’s no need to sign up for anything else. Hangouts works great if you spend a lot of time on Gmail. The user experience is consistent so it’s not hard to figure out and you’re sure to get the hang of it sooner than later. It’s got the standard set of features—video chat, instant messaging as well as group video chat—and allows you to call up to ten pals on a single video call. However, there’s a bit of a downside to it. The service often has glitches far more often than other apps on the list. Also, expect Google to roll out changes to the user experience routinely. These aren’t major issues, though, so it’s still a good performer if you want something simple.
Viber
Want emoticons and emojis galore? Go for Viber. It’s a great communication app for friends, family and sweethearts who love sending over cute stickers and emojisthat help you get through the day after beating impossible deadlines or tap dancing for the boss. It’s not the best choice for a business call, though, so if you want something that’s a serious performer, you might want to look elsewhere. For everything else, a simple, easy-to-use system that allows you to send a ton of cute stuff as well as connect and stay in touch with your contacts.
Imo
Want something that offers the bare essentials? Don’t want anything with bells and whistles? C|net recommends taking a gander at Imo. It’s easy to use and works much like Viber and Hangouts. One quibble you’ll probably have with it is that you have no way of getting unwanted contacts off your list, so you’ll see those faces no matter how much you want to boot them out.
