The life of an expat can be tough as you find yourself missing the care and comfort of family in the Philippines. Thanks to technology, however, it’s perfectly possible to stay in touch with friends and relatives without having to spend thousands in the process. Here are some of the apps you can download for your smartphone to enjoy daily communication.
IMO
imo offers unlimited free text messaging over an Internet connection. Just like any other app.
The main attraction is free unlimited high-quality voice and video calling. While poor conditions may render the calls short of being high quality, there is a noticeably better quality with video calls compared to other apps of the like. It is definitely better on video calling than Viber.
The app allows you to share photos and videos. It also offers free stickers, which is the craze of the moment on instant messaging apps. This is becoming kind of a must have on these apps.
Skype
The original is still a favorite as people find Skype to be one of the most reliable apps today. More importantly, it allows for group chats, thereby allowing you to include practically everyone who has access to a smartphone and an Internet connection. Since it’s an old-school app, it shouldn’t be hard for the parents and grandparents to navigate through it.
The Facebook application is quick, easy, and manages to facilitate different forms of media. You can post pictures, send messages, or converse through video conversations. Best of all, the Facebook app is 100% free so there’s no need to worry about additional charges. Of course, let’s not forget the fact that Facebook is highly popular in the Philippines. Using this application, you can keep in touch with practically anyone – not just the family. It’s also a user-friendly platform so even the parents can work through Facebook and talk to you in real time.
Quick, simple, and free, WhatsApp makes it possible for you to talk to loved ones, text, and send pictures all through your phone. With basic Internet connection, you should be able to stay in touch with family members – even if they’re not online. WhatsApp has a voice record feature so that you can beat the time difference.
Viber
Enjoy unlimited connection with the family through Viber. You can easily install this with your phone and send messages, pictures, and even have free calls with the family. Real time video calls make it possible for you to talk to your family face to face and be part of any celebration despite being a thousand miles away. Unlimited in its scope, Viber is definitely a favorite for many Pinoy’s abroad.
Life360
Perfect for the mom who wants to make sure their grown up child is doing well in a different country – Life360 sends your family updates about you and the situation in your city. It essentially sends updates or lets your mom check on you, what you’re doing, and if there are any events in your area that might cause her concern. It might feel a bit like snooping – but that’s just how Filipino parents are. The app also provides for video chatting so you can talk with the folks in real time. It works both ways so you will also find out what your family members are dealing with in the country.
Of course, those are just some of the apps available for you to use. Make a point of exploring different application options to find the one that best fits your needs. Some apps need to be paid for or demand payment for a feature upgrade. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to have this upgrade or just stick with the basic application.
