tinsleyNET | Video Messaging

Using Skype to keep in touch with relatives and other loved ones while being socially isolated is going to require some planning. It’s great to be able to use the phone and text messages to keep in contact, but it’s a lot more reassuring and rewarding to be able to see your family and friends, and Skype is the way to do it.

Skype

There are a number of video calling platforms available, we review some of them here, but none are as universally well known, and supported, as Microsoft’s Skype.

Unlike Apple’s FaceTime, Skype can be used on any phone, Android or Apple, it can be used on tablets, laptops, computers, games consoles, direct from the web and even on smart TV’s

It’s a reliable platform to use, it’s free and it allows you to video call upto 50 users at once.

Getting Started

https://go.skype.com/get.skype.page

If you’ve not already got a skype account, you’ll need to create one. The easiest way to do this is through the app, so follow the links below to find the app that works best for you. Skype can be installed on several devices at the same time, so you don’t need to pick just one.

Windows 10

If you’ve got a Windows 10 online account (you can log in with an email address – go to On the website

https://www.skype.com/

https://web.skype.com/

Skype on the website works for anyone using Microsoft Edge, Edge Chromium or Google Chrome browsers.

Windows 10 App

Install from the Microsoft App Store

This is the easiest way to get Skype on Windows 10 machines.

The app installes from the app store and runs as a native Windows 10 WUA app (a bit like apps on your phone)

You can get to all the features of Skype from this app, including managing your account, but some links will open up in your web browser so may require you to sign in again.

Windows, Linux or Mac desktop/laptop computers

Running the Skype for desktop app is pretty much the standard way of getting Skype on non Windows 10 computers, although you can still install the program on Windows 10, the app version above is a much better alternative.

Mobile Phones (Android & iPhone)

Android Phones
Apple iPhones
Windows 10 Mobile (well, it’s still listed on the Skype page!)

Getting the Skype app on your mobile is going to be one of the most useful ways of using Skype

Keep in touch with your friends and family even when you’re out making an essential trip. Found a shop with toilet roll in it? get in touch with your grandma to see if she wants any dropping off at her house. Wanting to talk to your friends from the garden? the mobile is the easiest device to take out with you.

Tablets (Android, iPad and Kindle)

Like the Skype for Mobile, Skype for tablets gives you that bit more freedom to move around your home and into the garden, but with a larger screen to be able to see your loved ones.

Skype on Alexa

https://www.skype.com/en/alexa/

If you’ve got an Amazon Echo Show or spot, you can receive and make Skype video calls through them. If you’ve got any other Amazon Echo device, you can receive and make audio calls via Skype through them.

Just say “Alexa, Skype Ben“

To setup Skype on your Alexa, you need the Alexa app on your smartphone, and you need to have already created a Skype account.

Open the app
Go to Settings > Communication > Skype
Link your accounts

XBox

https://www.justpushstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/skype-xbox-one.jpg

The Skype app is very well integrated into XBox, designed for gamers to be able to chat with their online gaming buddies, it also means you can catch up with your granny while sniping zombie soldiers or stealing a helicopter. Multitasking 21C style.

#WeCanHelp

Once you’ve got your app installed and your account setup, you can start using Skype to video call and voice call other Skype users.

there’s a great help page from Microsoft about managing Skype and using the different features, you can find that here.

If you or your loved ones need help getting Skype installed and setup, we can help. We can remotely assist to get your family talking virtually face to face.

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It’s an unprecedented time, with people all around the world becoming isolated in their homes, we look at some of the best video communication platforms to make your isolation or social distancing a little less solitary.

Table Of Contents

WhatsApp
Skype
FaceTime
Google Duo
Google Due Update
Jitsi
Zoom
Spike
Facebook
Google Hangouts
WeChat
Others
#WeCanHelp

https://www.whatsapp.com/

WhatsApp is probably the most popular messaging app in use. Supporting voice and video calls, group chats and file sharing it protects your communications with end-to-end encryption and is available on all platforms and the web.

Accounts on WhatsApp are free and tied to your mobile number, so no need to sign up with an email account. But this does mean you need a smartphone before you can cign up for it.

Group chats can include up to 256 people, enough for even the largest family, but video calls are limited to 4 people

You can contact us on WhatsApp here tinsleyNET

Skype

https://www.skype.com/en/

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Probably one of the better known, and longest running video platforms, Skype is a goto app for many.

It’s a multi-platform service, meaning that no matter what type of phone, tablet or PC you have, you can get skype on it.

You can talk to upto 25 users at a time on the free version of Skype, ideal for setting up a family group, and you can use other features, such as remote screen sharing, messaging, Microsoft Teams (a business tool for managing meetings) and calling non-skype users via landline and mobile networks.

To access skype, the basic version is free but you’ll need a Microsoft account. If you’re on Windows 10 you can use the same account that you log into Windows with (assuming you’re not using a local only account)

Skype has been criticised in the past for it’s security, it’s been suggested that Microsoft have allowed government agencies access to ‘secure’ messages on skype. This might be something to be aware of if you’re using Skype for business, but for family communications, it’s really not an issue.

FaceTime

https://support.apple.com/

Apple’s facetime is one of the most used video messaging apps, which is great if all your family are embedded into the Apple ecosystem, but no use to anyone not investing into Apple.

The app is limited to only video and voice calling between other Apple facetime devices, and it’s limited to 32 users in a video conversation.

There’s no additional accounts or setup required to use Facetime, and other than needing an Apple account and Apple hardware, there’s no other fees or requirements.

Google Duo

https://duo.google.com/about/

Like FaceTime, Google’s Duo app is built around video calling only. But unlike Facetime, it’s not limited to just one platform.

Duo is accessible from Android, Apple, smart devices and from PC’s via the web, and allows conversations with upto 8 users at once.

Features like Knock Knock allow you to see the video of calling before you answer, video messenger allows you to send video clips or leave video clips if the call is not answered.

Security is achieved by end-to-end encryption. and extra features include AI overlays, meaning you can do funny things like draw a hat on your head that stays there as you move your head around, a bit like the well known overlays used on snapchat.

You can contact us on Duo here: https://duo.google.com/ or open your Duo app dial 07825650122

Google Due Update

Due now supports up to 12 users in a call

“We are grateful that Duo is helping users see their loved ones all around the world. We recognize group calling is particularly critical right now. We have increased group calling from 8 participants to 12 effective today. More to come. #AllInThisTogether #COVID19”

Sanaz, Sr. Director of Product & Design at Google, March 2020
Tweet: https://twitter.com/sanazahari/status/1243397017868460033

Jitsi

https://jitsi.org/

Not a well known service, but Jitsi is making itself known in areas where security is essential. The video and audio calling software is encrypted end-to-end and the same security can be used to encrypt messages on the platform.

There’s no limit on the number of participants in a group conversation, other than what your internet/hardware can cope with.

There’s no need to sign up for an account, simply head over to jitsi, start a conversation and then send the link out to others for them to join.

There are apps available for Windows and MacOS, but the focus appears to be around the web browser client, that means that accessing the service from a mobile device could be slightly tricky.

Zoom

https://zoom.us

Zoom came from the minds behind Cisco, so as you’d expect it’s robust and reliable, and has security built into the platform from the start. Used extensively in business pre Microsoft Teams, it became the video conferencing platform of choice for celebs in 2019.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, Zoom has seen it’s user base increase significantly, not only for education and business, but also in a friends and family use.

The basic free account will allow you to chat to upto 100 users for 40 minutes, for more users or a longer chat, you’ll need a paid subscription (£11.99/month/user for the Pro)

You can contact us on Zoom, start a new meeting and click invite, then send the invite to it@tinsleynet.co.uk

Spike

https://www.spikenow.com/

A less known client here, Spike is more business orientated. It brings together email, messaging, video calls and documents sharing.

Available on all platforms, the personal accounts are free as long as you’re using a recognised free email account (yahoo, gmail, hotmail etc). The limit on the free account is 10 group chats.

Facebook

https://www.messenger.com/

Facebook offer two platforms here, Messenger and Portal (the one that’s being advertised on TV a lot)

The problem with Portal is that you need to invest entirely in the portal system, that is you and the people you’re talking to need the portal hardware. And Facebook don’t have a great reputation for seeing a project through, so there’s no guarantee that in a years time Portal is still around, then the hardware you bought will be redundant.

The ‘free’ alternative is Messenger, built into the Facebook platform and then spawned as a seperate app, it can be accessed via the web or via dedicated apps on Apple and Android.

You can have upto 50 users in a video call, but they all need to have Facebook profiles.

Facebook does not have the best reputation for data security, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Google Hangouts

https://hangouts.google.com

Hangouts has been around since the early days of video and messaging apps. It is a solid app built for mobile and website but lacked the advertising needed to push it forwards.

Google moved it towards a more business based app when Due and Allo were released, but it’s still available on a wide range of platforms, including Apple, Android, Chrome, Microsoft and Linux.

Hangouts supports video and voice calling, and text messaging. Group calling can include up to 10 users, and users can share their desktop screens so you can do remote support.

You can contact us on Hangouts, open your hangouts app and dial +447825650122

WeChat

https://www.wechat.com/

The Chinese based chat app is widely used in China and is making it’s way into other countries via the much younger generations.

Video message groups can support upto 9 users. It’s popularity is based around the added features, including AI add ons, games and other in-app purchases.

The security of messages on Wechat has been questioned several times, with no clear response from the developers.

Others

There are plenty of other messaging apps that can keep you and your family in contact, feel free to add your own suggestions below.

#WeCanHelp

If you need help on choosing a messaging app, you can contact us below or head over to our FREE IT SUPPORT facebook group to get advice from other users, click the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tinsleyNET/

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