Google has a similar service called Hangouts. It’s a little more technical than Facetime, which is basically a phone call through a specific app. But Google Hangouts can include more people, so it can be used to plan a club meeting or family reunion.
One drawback to Hangouts is the need for everyone to have a Google account to sign-in to the process. But having a Google account is becoming a necessary thing in today’s connected world. Most connected people have or need one. However, once that’s resolved, the door is open to chatting with a number of people at once, seeing them in the nuance of personal communication, and solving problems digitally face-to-face.
The best part of everything we’ve talked about thus far is the cost. Outside of streaming costs involving mobile devices, everything we’ve discussed thus far is almost free! I was once involved in a low budget global television show that did interviews with guests through Google Hangouts. It can be that valuable. Skype is another service that offers personal video communication at minimal or no costs. I’m sure you’ve seen television networks like ESPN, CNN, FOX or MSNBC communicating with people through Skype video interviews.
Give any of the above a try. It’s cool to stay in touch with former high school friends and neighborhood buddies who are now living thousands of miles away. Maybe one day you’ll find yourself planning or promoting events for thousands through the simplicity of personal communication that wasn’t even possible when you dreamed of the idea.
