Unless you are on the road you can make calls via Wi-Fi which is important money saver for "pay
per minute" plan and is useful even for per month plans as sometimes the number of minute provided
is unsufficient.
You can use your Skype account for that. Or Google voice. Application called WiCall allow you to
make US calls for $0.009 a minute.
There are many reasons to enjoy Wi-Fi calling, from starting video
chats with family far and wide, to giving your old phone a new lease on
life as a Wi-Fi-only device in little Johnny's hands. However you want
to use it, you still need to know which apps are best.
There are quite a few companies battling it out in the data-calling
space, each of which has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some offer
voice-only calling, while others allow for video calls, photo transfer,
and group chat.
Select apps share the love with other services, but others prefer to
keep things in-house. I've spent some time playing with a few of these
clients over the last few years and found some to be incredibly useful.
Here are five of my favorite apps for making free Wi-Fi calls.
Google Voice
As the most used application on my phone,
Google Voice also works well on
tablets.
I enjoy being able to synchronize my text messages, missed calls, voice
mails, and contacts across multiple devices. More importantly, however,
I love the fact that I can use the same phone number on any and all
devices. This not only means texting on tablets and Web browsers, but
calls from any phone with a Wi-Fi connection.
I've been using Google Voice since 2007 when it
was still known as
Grand Central. I was mostly drawn to the
fact that I could use one phone number for my
home, work, and cell phone, and fell fast in
love with the service. It didn't matter where I
was or what phone was nearby, I could be reached
at the same number everywhere.Related stories
Unfortunately, Google has done very little
with Google Voice in the last five years.
Perhaps as a result of
carriers being unwilling to play ball, the
service is good but not great.
Indeed, I am still unable to send and receive
picture messages. What's more, it is still only
offered in the United States. Small drawbacks
aside, I cannot say enough about swapping phones
in and out and keeping the same phone number.
Standout features: Number porting; call recording; calls from
within Gmail; Do Not Disturb; inexpensive international rates; and
computer Web browser extensions.
Fring
One of the features I appreciate the most in
Fring is the ability to freely call other Fring users around the world.
What's more, it doesn't cost a penny to use video chat or send messages. In
cases where you need to call a landline or mobile that's outside your
country of origin, the FringOut option provides inexpensive rates. Among other features, Fring allows for group calling with four
friends at the same time.
(Credit: Fring)
Android phones and tablets that feature front-facing cameras can take
advantage of video calling with up to four friends at a time. Fring is a
great place to start for those looking for a Skype alternative and has
improved over time. I have been impressed with the quality in both voice and
video calls.
Standout features: Free Fring-to-Fring calling anywhere in the
world; inexpensive international rates; up to four video callers at once.
Skype
As the biggest name in Wi-Fi calling, the
Skype app for Android has seen more than 100 million installs. Much like
the desktop counterpart, the mobile version allows for a variety of ways to
stay connected. Most readers are familiar with the free Skype-to-Skype voice
and video calls and IMs, all of which translate nicely to
Android.
Skype for Android now offers landscape mode for video calls.
(Credit: Skype)
Skype works quite well on Android phones, especially for those with a
front-facing camera. Along those lines, a recent update enables landscape
calling for tablets that offer a front-side shooter. Additional details
include low-cost calling and SMS to landlines or mobile devices as well as
integration with Windows Live Messenger.
I have come to use Skype on Android more than a desktop these last few
years and think that the new tablet experience is wonderful. Many of my
contacts have Skype accounts, and I appreciate that I can go mobile and
still be just a ring away. With more than 600 million Skype users across the
globe, it is a safe bet that you know a few as well.
Standout features: Free Skype-to-Skype calling; inexpensive
international rates; simple and intuitive interface; massive user base.
Free WiFi Calling with Android Easy!
Fring allows calls and chat and video calling, and lets you
add other communication services from AOL to Google Talk as well as connecting
with your phone book. Of course, the other party needs to have Fring on their
phone for you to get free WiFi calling with Android (also works on other types
of phones so your friends don't have to have Android phones).
Their newest feature is being able to video call with up to four people at a
time - again, data charges do apply for video calls.
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