What are Communication products?
They tend to be features that are built into tablets, laptops and smart phones and provide different ways to communicate with others, such as talking, videoing messaging, instant messaging and group messaging.
Why are they useful?
They are cheap and popular ways to communicate as most people have a smart phone. It means you are less likely to be isolated and lonely if you can easily keep in touch with your friends, family and community anywhere in the world.
The popular communication products that can be used on smart phones and tablets are "Apps" like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. They just need to be downloaded (installed) onto your smart phone/tablet from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and work by using the internet (WiFi) or mobile data. Some of the products have also been specially adapted to help if you have visual and hearing difficulties.
Communication products below
FaceTime
Description
FaceTime is a free communication app for the brand of Apple equipment. It requires an Internet connection (or Wi-Fi) to work, however it will let you message and call friends and family.
You can use FaceTime to send and receive messages, calls, photos, videos, and voice recordings.
Features
- Call your contacts using their phone number or Apple ID
- Make video and audio calls
- Use the front-facing FaceTime camera to show your face, or switch to the back camera to show your friends and family what you see
- Take a live photo during a FaceTime call with just a tap
- Works over Wi-Fi (iPhone 4 or later) and mobile data
- FaceTime calls are integrated into your recent calls list in the phone app
- Create Favourites for quick access to key people in the phone app
This app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Cost
For information on prices, please visit the Facetime website.
FaceTime written guides
1. Apple Support website
2. Digital Unite website
3. Wikihow website
Reviews
If you would like to hear what other people think about this product, you can find out more on the Go2Crowd website.
Facebook Messenger
Description
Facebook Messenger is a free communication application for smart devices and PCs. It requires an Internet connection (or Wi-Fi) to work, however it will let you message and call friends and family.
You can use Facebook Messenger to send and receive messages, calls, photos, videos, and voice recordings.
Features
- Group chats: Create groups for the people you message most. Name them, set group photos and keep them all in one place
- Photos and videos: Shoot videos and snap selfies or other photos right from the app and send them with one tap
- Free calls: Talk as long as you want, even with people in other countries. (Calls are free over Wi-Fi. Otherwise, standard data charges apply)
- Bring your conversations to life with stickers
- Preview your camera roll photos and videos without leaving the conversation then choose the perfect ones to send
- Record voice messages when you have more to say
- Know when people have seen your messages
- Forward messages or photos to people who weren't in the conversation
- Search for people and groups to quickly get back to them
- Turn on location to let people know when you're nearby
- See who's available on Messenger and who's active on Facebook
- Turn off notifications when you're working, sleeping or just need a break
- Stay logged in so you never miss a message
- Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Messenger uses location data to make features work, help people connect and more
This app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Cost
For information on prices, please visit the Facebook Messenger website
Sunderland City Council videos: How Facebook Messenger can help you
1. Demonstration video for Facebook Messenger
1. Tutorial video for Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger written guides
1. Digital Unite website
2. Wikihow website
Reviews
If you would like to hear what other people think about this product, you can find out more on the Trust Pilot website.
Skype
Description
Skype is a popular communication app which allows you to call other people via video and voice using PCs, tablets and smartphones. It is often installed on computers by default making it easier to set up.
Features
- Talk face to face with a video call, this means you can see the person you are talking to
- Free voice calls to anyone else on Skype
- Message your friends and family in an instant
- Call mobiles and landlines at low rates (Skype to Skype calls are always free)
- Share photos, video messages and your location
- Smart devices, or laptop required
- Internet connection or mobile data connection required.
- Will require someone to download and setup
This app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Cost
For information on prices, please visit the Skype website.
Skype tutorial video
Skype written guides
1. Digital Unite website
2. Computer version of Skype
3. iPhone version of Skype
4. Mobile version of Skype
5. Skype website
6. Wikihow website
7. Window computer version of Skype
Reviews
If you would like to hear what other people think about this product, you can find out more on the Trust Pilot website.
Description
WhatsApp Messenger is a free communication app for smartphones. It uses your phone's internet connection or Wi-Fi to let you message and call friends and family.
You can use WhatsApp to send and receive messages, calls, photos, videos, and Voice Messages.
Features
- You can download WhatsApp for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone
- WhatsApp can be used for one-on-one chats and sharing content, and for group chats
- You can share videos, text-messages, images and audio media messages with other WhatsApp users
- WhatsApp uses mobile internet (3g or 4g) or Wi-Fi
This app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Cost
For information on prices, please visit the WhatsApp website
WhatsApp written guides
1. Digital Unite website
2. WhatsApp website
3. Wikihow website
Reviews
If you would like to hear what other people think about this product, you can find out more on the Trust Pilot website.