CAPE TOWN- Those living in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic have to resort to creative ways of staying in touch with their families and friends or employees.
Here is a list of technological substitutes you can use to maintain social distancing but feel like you’re still making face-to-face connections.
For video calling friends or family:
FaceTime(on Apple devices). Apple recently added a Group FaceTime option, which allows you to chat with up to 32 people at once -- assuming they all have Apple devices.
WhatsApp. This Facebook-owned messaging app (which most South Africans use) allows you to add two other people to a video call. While it has a limited number for a group call, it is an easy app for a quick catch up with your close group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=W28Ti9WjoKc&feature=emb_title
Skype. Skype was one of the first major video calling platforms and still is used globally. It can support up to 24 video callers plus it also lets you record, save and share your video calls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AuhjzxAudY&feature=emb_title
Houseparty. People living in lockdown are craving a bit of social fun. This is the perfect app to play popular games such as trivia and
Heads Up! with friends. The app has seen massive growth in downloads since the start of March.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0f4Hl93PzQ
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Squad. This app allows all the participants share the screen of their mobile devices. You can also watch YouTube and TikTok videos together during active calls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKd9ako2Xqo
For business:
Zoom. Are you working remotely or remotely working? For employees who can work remotely during the lockdown, Zoom is a great platform for desktop and mobile devices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzfo-sJmP6w&feature=emb_title
Google Hangouts. This free videoconferencing tool is ideal if your company uses the Google Suite. It allows people to join meetings via a web link through their laptops or phones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jhTTzFMZkY
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