The other week, we talked about Viber, an app that not only gives you the convenience of Instant Messaging technology that mimics SMS technology, it also unites users across the two major mobile platforms: iOS and Android. Coming soon on the Blackberry.
Today, we discuss how you could save on prepaid or even postpaid credits, using Viber. It may take a bit of an adjustment, and IS a lifehack of sorts.
How to make it work:
Prerequisite: Asking all of the people you usually text to download Viber to their Androids, iPhones and iPod Touches.
Method 1: If you're constantly online anyway because you have a WiFi/DSL connection at home and WiFi at work, then you don't need to maintain an unlimited subscription for your phone. Just load regular prepaid credits, text minimally when you're commuting, and do the bulk of your texting at work or at home.
This would help if your main number is a Sun Cellular number, as Sun to Sun texts now only cost Php 0.50 per message. Another budget-saving network would be Red Mobile, with text messages costing only Php 0.50 for Red to Red and Red to Smart. Texts to other networks cost Php 1.00.
Method 2: If you need a constant connection online, and are considering getting an ADSL line for home, scratch the thought. Choose to use a 3G mobile connection instead, and host it on your Android or iPhone that has Viber installed. This way, you can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot, even as you take advantage of constant connection to Viber.
The only thing you have to worry about now is how to reach your contacts who are not on Viber.
If most of your mobile network credits, whether prepaid or postpaid, are consumed on text conversations that last for hours, then move to 3G and Viber and save on mobile credits. If having a 3G data plan is not an option at the moment, then exercise a bit of restraint and teach yourself to just text when you're within WiFi range. This way, you'll ensure that you'll be able to maximize your mobile service consumption.
Enjoy Viber!
If losing one's phone isn't distressing enough, phone owners who lose their phones have to deal with one more setback in the process: losing their contacts. A good number of phone users keep all their eggs -- or, in this case, contacts, in one basket: their phones. It's either these phone users have yet to learn the fine art of backing up their contacts, or there's just "no time" to do so.
Most standard smartphones, and even mid-range phones are equipped with bluetooth, which allows users to send contacts to and from their bluetooth-enabled computers. Some laptop models now come with bluetooth, or the user can purchase a bluetooth dongle for their desktops. Incidentally, Macs all come with bluetooth. Some phones will need you to send contacts entry per entry, but others will enable you to sync in bulk. You may even leave your phone alone while you do something else.
The process of syncing one's contacts may be a brain-breaking exercise for the non-techie. On the other hand, there is a better, less painful way to synchronize and backup your contacts: Use an Android.
For the most part, an Android is highly user-friendly. Contrary to impressions that it's a geek's phone, most of the Android's functions are very intuitive. So intuitive that even connecting your phone to a 3G Internet connection is as painless and easy as tapping a few buttons. But we digress.
The Android, being a Google product, requires you to use a Gmail account for the Android Market. Push email may also be used via the Gmail app. But more than push email and Google Account integration, you can also synchronize your phone's contacts via your Gmail account.
All you need to do is to sign in with your Google account, then setup synchronization.
To setup synchronization, here's the process:
- Go to Settings > Accounts & Sync
- Tap both Background Data and Auto-Sync to enable syncing. This allows your phone to download data in the background, automatically.
- Go to Manage Accounts and click the account you want to sync with your phone. If you use only one Gmail account, then there should only be one entry. If you use several accounts, then choose the account you want to sync to.
- In that section, you may find entries like "Sync Docs," "Sync Contacts," "Sync Gmail," "Sync Picasa Web Albums," "Sync Calendar." Choose the Google services you want to sync to, especially the "Contacts" entry.
- Leave your phone alone while it's syncing. Minutes later, your contacts from your phone and from your Gmail will be merged.
Leaving your phone to sync in the background automatically updates the entries. Thus, as soon as you enter new phone numbers and contact details, you'll find that these are already in your Gmail account as well. No more need to set aside time to sit down and back up your contacts! Your Android will do it for you, as long as you have the Background Data sync function turned on.
Syncing in the background consumes power. So if you want to conserve battery, you could turn off the sync when you're out. Just make sure that you sync at least once a week. It's as convenient as a few taps anyway.
Heaven forbid that you lose your phone in the near future. But when you do, get an Android for your next phone. That way, even if you do lose it too, at least you won't have the added worry of losing all your contacts' details.
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