31 Mar Digital Tools to Help You Stay Connected
Though we must stay physically distant from one another during this time, we can still be virtually close with the help of technology. Whether you’re looking for ways to connect with co-workers while working from home or how to stay in touch with friends and relatives during your self-quarantine, explore the list below for opportunities to foster your relationships digitally.
Social Media
People have even more time to spend on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram these days. Some are looking to stay updated on the crisis, while others may be looking for a distraction from the situation. Now is a great time to share helpful tips and personal tidbits about how you and your family are spending your time at home. Don’t forget to connect – like, comment on, and engage with your friends’ posts to let them know you care.
Video Calls
FaceTime (for Apple devices) and Google Duo are two free and easy apps that allow you to video chat. During this time, it is especially meaningful to be able to see and hear each other!
Looking to share your screen, too? Zoom‘s free plan includes unlimited 1-to-1 calls and 40-minute group calls.
Recorded Video Messages
Marco Polo combines the best of texting, video chat, and social media in one! Record and send short video messages back and forth to individuals or groups. Unlike a video call, these are recorded snippets so you can enter and leave the app as you wish.
Dubb, BombBomb, and Bonjoro allow you to send personalized video messages to your recipient’s email inbox. Of these three options, we found that Bonjoro has the most robust free plan, with 50 videos per month.
The DoubleTake app allows you to record videos on your phone using any two cameras at the same time. That means you can record your face with your front-facing camera as well as what you’re looking at using the outward-facing camera. For our Caine agents, this makes it easy to take clients on a virtual tour of a home – but it could be used in a variety of situations to show your recipient the “full” picture of what you’re up to!
Have Some Fun
Netflix Party allows you to watch Netflix with your friends. It synchronizes your streaming and adds a group chat to discuss your viewing with fellow party-goers. Missing movie night? You’ll love this.
Tune in to a live concert! Artists from John Legend to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have started performing live online from their living rooms. These #TogetherAtHome concerts have been streamed on a variety of platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch so check your favorite musicians’ social feeds for updates. Add in another app like FaceTime or Zoom to enjoy the concert with your loved ones.
Coldwell Banker Caine hopes you stay safe and well during this time. To learn more about our COVID-19 policies and updates, click here. #CBCaine #HomeTogether
