Cost-Free SMS-Replacement Suites for Mobiles
MANILA, Philippines - With the internet's featured avenues for real time communication, matched with most Cebuanos now owning a smartphone (or two), there is no reason why friends and family can't get in touch with each other for free this Christmas, utilizing the featured upsides of SMS-replacement apps.
Applicable regardless of where contacts are based, below are some of the best internet-driven SMS-replacements for mobiles, each developed to address different tech-inclined limitations and considerations.
Facebook Messenger
http://www.facebook.com/mobile/messenger.
Facebook Messenger is one of the newest players in the SMS-replacement class of communication applications, developed as a multi-platform app for mobile operating systems.
Not to be mistaken for Facebook's internal messaging service, Facebook Messenger is an app that comes in versions for the iOS, BlackBerry OS and Android, and can function even when a user does not have a Facebook Account.
Requiring an active internet connection for it to work its magic, Facebook Messenger allows users to easily keep in touch with contacts stored in their mobiles, without having to pay for each message sent or received.
Also a multi-platform communication suite, WhatsApp is available in versions for iOS devices, Android mobiles, Windows Phone units, Nokia (Symbian, S40) smartphones and BlackBerry handsets.
Developed to harness a mobile device's existing internet data plan (or available active internet connection), WhatsApp's communication features can work with different mobile device brands and platforms, only requiring users to have the app installed in their respective devices and have an active internet connection set up.
Featuring support for "Groups", WhatsApp doesn't just allow users to send text-driven communiqués, but also comes with support for audio and video-based messages.
LiveProfile
Considered to be WhatsApp's biggest rival, LiveProfile is pretty much no different from WhatsApp, developed as a multi-platform SMS replacement suite for mobile users.
Also requiring an active internet connection for it to properly function, LiveProfile comes in versions for the iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS, and comes with a "Social Integration" feature that readily links the app with active social network accounts.
With support for "pushed notifications", the app also comes with support for photo and video sharing, making it a unique SMS-replacement app that comes with social networking tools and functions.
With any (or all) of the above mentioned apps installed, smartphone owners can maximize the use of their internet subscriptions, as well as spare themselves from the service fee cost of sending or receiving SMS messages - something which Cebuanos with family members based overseas would smile about.
As bundled internet plans now are getting readily affordable, harnessing the cost-free messaging benefits of the net is made more real and dynamic with SMS-replacement apps.
Note: Though the messaging service highlights of the apps mentioned above are available for free, internet subscriptions are still subject to payment terms defined by one's mobile internet service provider. Looking into the details of one's internet subscription plan is highly advised before using any of the apps. (FREEMAN)
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