Thursday, August 18, 2016

Out & About Exploring Our World - Here's How To Stay In Touch For Free

Concerned about staying in touch while traveling internationally? Maybe you couldn't tie up all the loose ends before you left town.  Or maybe something is going on back home that you need to keep tabs on while your away.  Don't want to run up excessive cell phone charges to do it?  You might have heard about this easy-to-use international text app, but if not, here's WhatsApp.


Stay In Touch For Free

WhatsApp is a real-time messaging app that let's you message friends and family for free, even while you are traveling abroad. As long as you are connected to a free WiFi network, or have not exceeded your data limit, your carrier shouldn't charge you extra for messaging anyone over WhatsApp.  One thing you need to remember though, if you don't have a global data plan, make sure to change your phone settings to deny data roaming access in order to avoid the additional mobile data charges.

create groups, send each other unlimited images, videos, and even voice messages

Some cool features of WhatsApp include being able to create groups, send each other unlimited images, videos, and even voice messages. Other great features include WhatsApp Calling and WhatsApp Web. You can make or receive calls for free with WhatsApp Calling using your phone's internet connection rather than your voice minutes. To make a call you simply open a "chat" just like you would for a text message, but tap the phone icon instead to be connected to with the person you wish to reach, as long as they are one of your contacts who uses WhatsApp, too.  Alternatively, you can receive calls from your contacts as well.  With WhatsApp Web, what they call "the computer-based extension" of the app, your phone and your computer will be completely synced so you can see all your messages on both devices.

download and learn more

For now, WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and Nokia, as well as your Mac or Windows PC. You can download this travel-friendly app for free from Google Play, the App Store, and Microsoft. To learn more about WhatsApp you can visit whatsapp.com and check out the FAQ's.

One last tip for my world-wise travelers: While enjoying your globe-trotting, I recommend you set the status on your WhatsApp to say "I am currently roaming abroad. Will reply when I'm on WiFi". This way your friends will know why you are not answering right away.


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