Apps for calling/texting the US from Canada?

[HOOT]

Well after this bit of news and a $180 Canada to US text charge on my bill today I wanted to see what others use for their long distance and texting with just a smart phone (iPhone) to the US from Canada.

I only text/talk to really one person down there and she has an Android so we can't use iMessage to save on texts, but I'm hearing BBM for all platforms is coming soon so that may help with the text portion of things.

The two I have been told to check out so far are Hangouts by Google and Whatsapp, but Whatsapp doesn't seem to have a calling feature and Hangouts seems to be all video chat, which sounds great for battery life.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated!

[Azure]

Viber.

http://www.viber.com/

[Violator]

Try Voxer it like a walkie talkie and you can text to all you need is a data connection

[Galakanokis]

Viber is a good one. I use Dell Voice or Fongo now and I'm pretty sure it is available in the US. With Fongo you can just get a local number for whatever location you frequently call. I have Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto numbers.

[Jimmy Stang]

^ I gave Fongo a test drive today, and I am actually pretty impressed. Although perhaps not specifically what the OP is looking for, I think that it could be a very viable option for travelers who need to stay connected.

You can be assigned a local Calgary number, and before you leave, forward your cell phone calls to the new Fongo number. And then as long as you have data/wifi available down in the US or wherever, your phone will ring whenever anyone calls your cell, and you won't be charged long distance (because you're forwarding to a Calgary number). And outgoing calls to Canadian and American numbers are free as well, all over the internet.

Plus it has voicemail that can be sent to your email, and although they "don't advertise or support it", you can also receive faxes at the same number.

So with a free Fongo number, call forwarding, and a modest plan from Roam Mobility (or a local pay-as-you-go plan from your destination), you can stay very connected for very cheaply. If that's what you want/need on your travels, of course.

All of that being said, HOOT may find that some of the other apps are better/cheaper/free for texting (texting is an add-on for Fongo), but thanks to Galakanokis' post, I may have found myself a viable travel option.

[Galakanokis]

My understanding with Fongo is any calls or texts to other Fongo users are completely free.

" FREE unlimited calling across Canada and to any Fongo number anywhere in the world -- without using any cell minutes*"

"• FREE unlimited Fongo texting, including group and picture messaging anywhere in the world*"

I don't use it a lot but it comes in handy every now and than.

[HOOT]

We have been using Viber and it is perfect! Easy to use, fast texts and voice quality is just as good as a normal phone call through Telus. I like the way it will use your contacts and tell you who has Viber already and when someone in your contacts joins up on it.

I like the idea of Fongo for traveling though!

[ratech]

Shaw is coming out with an App that you can use over wifi and it ties to your home phone number. You can text with it too and won't cost you a dime.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by ratech

Shaw is coming out with an App that you can use over wifi and it ties to your home phone number. You can text with it too and won't cost you a dime.

This sounds interesting. Do you have more information?

[MaDMaN_26]

Facebook messenger? $180... ouch mine was $10 - and becuase I forgot my brothers GF has a USA phone even though she is in Calgary.

I refuse to pay TELUS $5 more for free texts to the USA... A$$holes.

And $0.40 cent per message is assinine... Write your MP.

[Tyler]

Facetime will work for just voice when iOS 7 drops. That should be a nice feature for iPhone to iPhone communication

[ratech]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

This sounds interesting. Do you have more information?

Not a lot, but it looks like a September launch. Employee trial going on now.