Messaging

Learn how to use your Android phone to communicate more effectively

Although your Android handset is a design masterpiece and it keeps you entertained with a plethora of games and more, a phone just wouldn’t be a phone if it didn’t allow you to communicate.

In the days of old, people would say they only needed a phone to make calls and perhaps rattle off the odd text. Today, such needs are still important yet there are now many more ways of achieving the same aim.

A smartphone is designed to help you keep in touch, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to tried and tested methods. Instead of merely talking to someone, you could see them face-to-face using video calling via the world-famous Skype app, for instance. Or you may want to instant message a host of friends, each of whom use different accounts. With an app like eBuddy you can do all of that within the one place, making life infinitely easier.

You are not even limited to sending a single text message to one person. It is possible to create groups and send out groups SMS messages to all of your friends, family or business contacts. And you can even get over the limitations that people using different systems on different phones can have by hooking up with WhatsApp, a cross-platform messaging gem, which brings together users of all of the major smartphone operating systems.

Unfortunately, for the time being at least, many of the more advanced apps are only available for those who are using the very latest technology. This is certainly the case with Skype. As more and more people upgrade their handsets, however, they’ll become even more connected. This is vital, of course, because there is no point in you having the very latest technology if your friends can’t join in with a video call.

Much of the software you need is already built in. Google Talk is pre-loaded on most Android phones. Others will have to download it for themselves but messaging and video apps tend to be free and they have many benefits. Skype lets you make calls over your data plan. But think: if you are in a Wi-Fi hotspot, you could make calls to another Skype user without it costing you a single penny, nor reducing your monthly talk  ackage.

There are other benefits too with some apps letting you instant message while keeping you online even if the phone rings so you don’t have to interrupt a text conversation mid-flow to answer a verbal one. All of this makes you one very happy – and well-connected – bunny indeed.

Quick tips Become a more effective communicator

1: Don’t text, just speak

If your handset allows it, you can use your voice to compose a text message. Start the SMS as normal but look out for the microphone icon. Press it and you can dictate your message rather than use your fingers.

2: Let Google take over
The Google Voice app lets you read and listen to voicemail messages that you receive through your Google Voice number. It also lets you receive and send text messages for free – perfect if your texts are limited.

3: Chat via Facebook
An easy way to chat to your friends is via the Facebook app. It has a chat facility which allows you to see who is currently wasting away the hours updating their status and catch up with them instead.

How much data will these apps use?

It depends. If you have an unlimited data plan, then you will be okay but if you have a limit then charges may occur and you’ll have to check with your phone service provider.