Most user friendly video calling app?

Hi all

In a probably vain attempt to get my wife's frankly useless dad and step mum to start to engage a bit more with her and the kids (they are 250 miles away), her bright idea was to buy them an amazon tablet for Christmas so we can do video calls to them (they don't have smart phones).

It's my job to set it up for them before we send it tomorrow. Not sure if the app or settings/contacts will stay once I delete my account from it, but I'll have a go.

So, I need a suggestion of the easiest video chat app to set it up with, then put the same on the wife n kids phones. As it's not a phone, whatapp, which we all currently use, is out, so what other app is easiest to use for kids and technophobe 60somethings? Skype, zoom, teams, something else?

Cheers

FaceTime.

Edit: Not on an Amazon tablet though, sadly.

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Originally Posted by Seamaster73

FaceTime.

Edit: Not on an Amazon tablet though, sadly.

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Nor on our android phones, sorry, should have said that, we are an apple free house

What’s App, the technophobe doesn’t need to do anything except answer th3 call, presuming what’s app installed.

Facebook messenger is extremely simple, even for me and I'm a dunce apparently. If they don't have a Facebook account that will have to be set up first of course, but very easy after that.

Pretty sure they don't have Facebook accounts, could set them one up, but the kids don't have Facebook either.
WhatsApp can only be on a phone can't it? It needs a phone number?

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Originally Posted by Brighty

Pretty sure they don't have Facebook accounts, could set them one up, but the kids don't have Facebook either.
WhatsApp can only be on a phone can't it? It needs a phone number?

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Easy to set up for your parents, but yeah, I guess Facebook is old hat for kids now.

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Originally Posted by Brighty

Nor on our android phones, sorry, should have said that, we are an apple free house

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Google duo then or WhatsApp. Google Duo prob easier

Edit: I think you're SOL with the Amazon Tablet I think and might need to consider something else. Cheap iPad or Chromebook / Android Tablet. You can have Google Duo on iOS and Apple is the easiest for older people.

Can the Amazon Tablet handle Teams?

I think the Amazon stuff needs to work with a mobile phone. You can then use either the Alexa app to make a call (you need to put it on your phone) or Skype. From my limited research the tablets & Echo Show devices don't make calls directly - they work with a phone.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/amazon-...view-4533.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?node=14072704031

Zoom is hard to beat just email them a link

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Originally Posted by Ruggertech

Facebook messenger is extremely simple, even for me and I'm a dunce apparently. If they don't have a Facebook account that will have to be set up first of course, but very easy after that.

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This! You could set up an account for then even if not going into details with name etc

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Originally Posted by RustyBin5

Zoom is hard to beat just email them a link

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Depends whether they use email?!

Google Duo,

As others have said android and a tablet rule out a number of options.

You could set up a free Teams account, meetings limited to 60 minutes*, or a free Zoom account, meetings limited to 40 minute. Both are straight forward to use.

*These are way to get a free ‘business’ Teams account without the limitations but a. it is not as straight forward and b. A time limit is the best excuse to hang up on in-laws.

Google Meet.

Simples


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Originally Posted by SydR

As others have said android and a tablet rule out a number of options.

You could set up a free Teams account, meetings limited to 60 minutes*, or a free Zoom account, meetings limited to 40 minute. Both are straight forward to use.

*These are way to get a free ‘business’ Teams account without the limitations but a. it is not as straight forward and b. A time limit is the best excuse to hang up on in-laws.

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I did read Zoom have removed the limited time restriction over the Christmas period, no idea when it comes back into force though.

WhTs app - they just answer it


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I think as others have said if you want an easy to use solution then maybe an amazon tablet isnt the best.

Id take a look at the facebook portal devices. For the price i think they would work well and will your parents would need a facebook account, you could set it up via PC, they never have to use it and as far as i know it doesnt need a linked phone number and even if it does it doesnt need the app on their phones so can just be their nonsmart mobile number.
10 inch screen version is on sale at the moment on Amazon

Im sure the kids can handle using facebook to call the grandparents even if its not the app they use nowdays.

Isn't the simple answer - just use the built-in alexa app on the tablet to call them and install it on a phone, table PC you have?

How to use a Fire tablet to Alexa video call your family

Yeah as said I would have thought just use Alexa. Though might have been easier with an Echo Show of some kind

Taking this back to basics, do they actually have broadband?

Understanding what they do have gives a bit more scope for others to advise on best options, in terms of them having broadband, existing pc's, email, facebook accounts, etc.

Cheers all

Yes they have t'internet, just no smartphones or Facebook.

Had a trial of the alexa app and it video called the wifes and my phone fine. Had to install the app on the kids phones first, and it worked for them too.

Hopefully all sorted, let's see if this actually leads to them being @rsed to call occasionally.

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Originally Posted by Brighty

Cheers all

Yes they have t'internet, just no smartphones or Facebook.

Had a trial of the alexa app and it video called the wifes and my phone fine. Had to install the app on the kids phones first, and it worked for them too.

Hopefully all sorted, let's see if this actually leads to them being @rsed to call occasionally.

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Originally Posted by reecie

Yeah as said I would have thought just use Alexa. Though might have been easier with an Echo Show of some kind

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I'm pretty sure you need a mobile phone number to work with a Fire Tablet or an Alexa Show. I don't think Alexa calling works without one.

I've got a related questions on video calling.

Does anyone know of an app that will cast from a phone onto a smart TV in landscape?

Both WhatsApp and Duo windows remain in portrait on TV when phone rotated to landscape.