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OF THE MANY benefits smartphones have brought us, staying in touch with friends and family is probably the biggest one. Thanks to 3G, 4G and wifi, we can be halfway across the world and still chat to friends in real-time.
While we all know of WhatsApp, Skype and Viber, there are many more messaging apps out there that are just as useful and as fun. Here are some of the best.
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free (€2.69 per month/€26.99 per year for pro version)
Desktop Version: Yes (for business users)
While it portrays itself as a serious app, Voxer is guaranteed to bring your childhood memories flooding back. The walkie-talkie app is all about snappy messaging, allowing you to record quick messages to friends or groups. Finishing each message with ‘Over’ is optional, but encouraged.
(Image: Voxer/Windows Phone)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
If you feel that text isn’t enough to get a view across, MessageMe could be the app for you. With over 180 stickers, emoticons and emoji to choose from, you’ll find an image or picture to match whatever you’re saying.
(Video: MessageMe/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
Google hasn’t won many friends thanks to its insistence on placing Google+ everywhere you go, but Google Hangouts is one example of it getting it right. Combining the best of Gchat with group video calls, it’s a great app for both text and group video chat.
(Video: Google/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry,
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: No
Think of WeChat as a cross between Voxer and MessageMe and you’re close to what it can do. Combining the best of voice messaging with text and imagery, it allows you to chat with friends in a wide number of ways.
(Image: WeChat/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Cost: Free (add-ons vary in price)
Desktop Version: Yes
Quickly becoming one of the most popular messaging apps out there, Line adds some twists to a familiar concept. With specialised apps, games, and a shake feature that allows you to friend someone nearby, it’s one of the more creative messaging apps out there.
(Image: Line/Windows Phone)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes (Windows)
While it offers the usual text, photos, stickers and music messaging features, Tango’s real strength is in video. Not only can you chat to someone through video calling, you can also record your own video message for your friends to watch later.
(Image: Tango/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: No
Considering the app is all about sharing photos and videos that self-destruct within ten seconds, it would be wrong not to include it. With its new Stories feature giving users a way of sending group photos and videos, it’s transforming from a fun photo app into a new way of messaging. If you’re curious as to why it’s worth $3 billion, now’s a good time to find out.
(Video: Snapchat/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free, €4.49 for full version.
Desktop Version: Yes
It’s easy to forget that not everyone has a smartphone so if you’re regularly texting friends on SMS, this will come in handy. Jelly allows you to send webtexts from your phone to anyone you wish, regardless of provider. You will have to pay to either remove ads or send photo messages, but if most of your friends still rely on SMS, it will definitely come in useful.
Update: the latest update for Jelly on iOS now includes picture messaging for free.
(Image: JellySMS/App Store)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
As you probably guessed, GroupMe focuses on group messaging, but it keeps things simple to ensure a pleasant experience. Relying on text, photos and location, it’s probably the easiest app for both savvy users and non-tech users.
(Image: GroupMe/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
Since it got a major update recently, it’s worth revisiting Facebook’s own messaging app if you’re not using it already. With a new look and a much better layout, you can now find out whether your friends are on mobile or web, as well as message people from your phone book, even if they’re not on Facebook.
(Image: Facebook/App Store)
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I’m off to cut a Mars Bar into 4… Feck the begrudgers
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: it’s even more fun when you glue four Kitkat Chunkies together and see the reaction from others.
@Harry Whitehead: brilliant :)
@Harry Whitehead: All Kit Kat lovers will never forgive you for that scurrilous comment. Sacrilege of the highest order. Will not sit at table in canteen at work with the unbelievers who produce supermarket home brands of Kit Kat. Peasants who do not know the true meaning of four fingers.
Did they give two fingers to KitKat
Ah here…… take a break lads
Just as well they stamp their name on each bar or I wouldn’t have a clue what I was eating……..
Can i have a Kit Kat chunky?
Sorry, we only have the ordinary ones…
That`s what i meant, you fa..
@Pixie McMullen: 10/10
My whole life has been a lie
I’m never satisfied by one kit-kat, I need about 3 of them they’re all finger and no chocolate if you ask me
Tough Break..
Two fingers to them so
The fact that they even asked has put me off kitkats
Mind you, people were familiar with the real Toblerone shape before the other company took chunks out of it at their discretion. I didn’t hear that company arguing that people had come to expect the usual trademark shape. With all the usual triangles.
Two fingers to them so!!
FFS REALLY!!!!
Have a break have a quick crap…
Have a break have a tandem!
Two fingers by two to Nestle! Nice to be mid silly season !!
Its the twox2 fingers for Nestle so.
Leo bars are much more wide spread in Belgium I’d say the average Belgian would think ok Leo if you showed them the Kitkat shape can’t nestle just be happy with their regional trademarks can’t have an Eu one if it’s not popular or even we’ll known in EU.
I guess the court gave them the..eh…two fingers!!
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