TECH BYTE: Video Chat Apps Help You Stay in Touch with Loved Ones

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — You shouldn’t have to live nearby to be able to keep in touch with your loved ones.

Having a computer, or even just your cell phone, makes it easy.

But it’s even better when you can see them face to face.

Video chats come in handy – whether it’s making a big family announcement, or a conference call for work.

A popular free app to do just that on your phone or computer is Skype.

You can make a free video call with up to 24 other people all at once!

WhatsApp is another option. It’s not just for texting.

Up to four people can do a video call on the app.

There’s also Google Hangouts. You can do a face-to-face chat on there with up to 25 people.

And if you don’t want to download the extra apps, most folks already have Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Snapchat.

You can video chat on those, as well.

Messenger allows up to six people at a time for video calls, Instagram allows up to four friends, and Snapchat, 15.

If you like sticking with just FaceTime on your Apple phone or computer, make sure to update your device to iOS 12.

With this new update, later this fall, you can do Group FaceTime, and make calls with up to 32 people at once.