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OF THE MANY benefits smartphones have brought us, staying in touch with friends and family is probably the biggest one. Thanks to 3G, 4G and wifi, we can be halfway across the world and still chat to friends in real-time.
While we all know of WhatsApp, Skype and Viber, there are many more messaging apps out there that are just as useful and as fun. Here are some of the best.
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free (€2.69 per month/€26.99 per year for pro version)
Desktop Version: Yes (for business users)
While it portrays itself as a serious app, Voxer is guaranteed to bring your childhood memories flooding back. The walkie-talkie app is all about snappy messaging, allowing you to record quick messages to friends or groups. Finishing each message with ‘Over’ is optional, but encouraged.
(Image: Voxer/Windows Phone)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
If you feel that text isn’t enough to get a view across, MessageMe could be the app for you. With over 180 stickers, emoticons and emoji to choose from, you’ll find an image or picture to match whatever you’re saying.
(Video: MessageMe/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
Google hasn’t won many friends thanks to its insistence on placing Google+ everywhere you go, but Google Hangouts is one example of it getting it right. Combining the best of Gchat with group video calls, it’s a great app for both text and group video chat.
(Video: Google/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry,
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: No
Think of WeChat as a cross between Voxer and MessageMe and you’re close to what it can do. Combining the best of voice messaging with text and imagery, it allows you to chat with friends in a wide number of ways.
(Image: WeChat/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Cost: Free (add-ons vary in price)
Desktop Version: Yes
Quickly becoming one of the most popular messaging apps out there, Line adds some twists to a familiar concept. With specialised apps, games, and a shake feature that allows you to friend someone nearby, it’s one of the more creative messaging apps out there.
(Image: Line/Windows Phone)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes (Windows)
While it offers the usual text, photos, stickers and music messaging features, Tango’s real strength is in video. Not only can you chat to someone through video calling, you can also record your own video message for your friends to watch later.
(Image: Tango/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: No
Considering the app is all about sharing photos and videos that self-destruct within ten seconds, it would be wrong not to include it. With its new Stories feature giving users a way of sending group photos and videos, it’s transforming from a fun photo app into a new way of messaging. If you’re curious as to why it’s worth $3 billion, now’s a good time to find out.
(Video: Snapchat/YouTube)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free, €4.49 for full version.
Desktop Version: Yes
It’s easy to forget that not everyone has a smartphone so if you’re regularly texting friends on SMS, this will come in handy. Jelly allows you to send webtexts from your phone to anyone you wish, regardless of provider. You will have to pay to either remove ads or send photo messages, but if most of your friends still rely on SMS, it will definitely come in useful.
Update: the latest update for Jelly on iOS now includes picture messaging for free.
(Image: JellySMS/App Store)
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
As you probably guessed, GroupMe focuses on group messaging, but it keeps things simple to ensure a pleasant experience. Relying on text, photos and location, it’s probably the easiest app for both savvy users and non-tech users.
(Image: GroupMe/Google Play)
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Desktop Version: Yes
Since it got a major update recently, it’s worth revisiting Facebook’s own messaging app if you’re not using it already. With a new look and a much better layout, you can now find out whether your friends are on mobile or web, as well as message people from your phone book, even if they’re not on Facebook.
(Image: Facebook/App Store)
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I sat with my dad the night he was dying and I’m extremely grateful that I got that chance. Said a lot to him. Hopefully he heard.
Kerry , I’m sure he did , I don’t know how true it is but they say the hearing is one of the last things to go . I hope it’s true .
I only read a few paragraphs and it brought so much back to me. I held my Mum’s hand as She breathed her last and looked on as the nurse confirmed that She had passed and closed Mam’s eyes. less than four years I did basically the same as the life support was switched off for my Dad. I never ,ever want to go through that again.
I stood at the end of the bed watching my mam cradle my dad in her arms as he died, two days shy of his 24th anniversary she died as I held her hand. That was one year ago as of yesterday.
A mere 3 weeks ago I held my dear mum as she took her last breath,she was 54 I am 27 my heart is broken and will always carry an emptiness with me but her love lifts me during the dark hours of grief, and what kills me more is my daughter won’t get to have known her as I did, cancer what a barbaric disease. Thank you to those who shared their stories they were beautiful words of the people who meant the most.
I had to force myself to read this article, but I’m trying to be strong and in search of some solace as we are in Tallaght hospital holding and comforting my beautiful gran since Tuesday . She’s is 83 and thank God we can take comfort in them been mostly happy loving years .
I understand death comes to us all, and as much as I never liked to think about it, I tried to prepare myself to be strong for my own mam at this time who is saying her goodbyes to her mother. It’s an extremely difficult time, but it’s been bitter sweet , as all our family are gathered around and Iv heard and shared some great story’s that will get us through the difficult days ahead, and also I will reflect on the touching story’s Iv just read here . And also grateful for the shared experiences that I can take from and hopefully make our journey somewhat less difficult . Thank you to the journal and to all who shared.
Derek
Thinking of you Derek.
Thank you Mike
My sincere sympathy to all of you (like me) who have lost loved ones.
My brother died suddenly aged 37, I was 39 weeks pregnant. He taught me how to tie my laces, cheat at Battleship and so much more. He was my hero. I wrote his eulogy from my bed in The Coombe hospital while my daughter lay in the crib. I had to have an emergency c-section. He was laid out in Massey’s Funeral Home on the Crumlin Rd, I was in the Coombe hospital sliced, cut & stitched. I couldn’t visit him, so near yet so far. I signed myself out of the Coombe 3 days later to attend his funeral, morphine tablets for the pain, my stomach stapled together. I had to return to the hospital the following morning to get my stitches out. Christmas is hard, you miss him at the table every year and birthdays are equally as painful. They say time heals, not true. We just learn to live with the pain and the loss better with each passing day. Grief comes in waves, sometimes the waves are 40ft high and I can just about hold on to the driftwood and other times I’m just floating, glad the waves are not that big grateful for the opportunity to breathe.
Heartbreaking yet beautiful. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. Wishing you all more good days than bad x
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. It’s nearly 4 years since my dad passed away, pneumonia as a result of his weakened immune system from Alzheimers…He was 67. I hate New Years Eve as a result…
Both my part end and all my family are healthy (touch wood) but when I read things like this I get so scared of losing them
Parents
Thank you Journal and everyone here who shared their personal stories. I’ve loved and lost several close people over the years. After reading these stories I’m ready now to grieve for my wonderful mam who died suddenly last year. I’ll forever regret the stupid reasons I kept my emotional distance from her while she always attempted to remedy this. That’s something I have to live with. She was always there for me and now she’s gone. Never ever take those who love you for granted.
Keith i was one of those who shared my mums passing and what it has meant for me. I’m a mother too and i can tell you that i know for certain that your mum bore you no ill will for your decisions. A mothers love is too strong for that. It takes a long time but i find myself having the conversations with mum in my head that i wish i could have done in person. Nothing in life is perfect. Mum and I would probably not have an easy relationship had she lived and i could be writing what you did. It wasn’t that easy when she passed. I just wanted you to know you aren’t alone. I have loads of regrets but like all relationships, the mother and child relationship isn’t always the easiest. I understand how tough it is to grieve when things are unsaid and unfinished. I hope you find peace and i wish you that. Take care x
Thank you to everyone who shared their personal stories and I am so sorry for all of your losses. As already mentioned, each story is beautiful and sad. I can wholeheartedly relate as I lost my mam in 2006 to motor neurone disease when I was 14 years old. I still find it hard to believe she’s actually gone. She was my best friend. I’ll never forget the beautiful person she was, the things she said, her voice, the laughs and memories we shared. Loving family and friends have been been my rocks. Without them I would have crumbled. Although it doesn’t get any easier, staying positive and keeping my mams memory alive helps me to feel like I have a part of her with me all of the time. Thanks again to everyone for sharing x
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