#GroupMe
The #GroupMe mobile application is a free download group messaging app owned by Microsoft but compatible with Android and iOS. Most typically, the mobile application is useful for instant-messaging within groups to simplify communication for personal and professional needs. Operating with similar functionality as SMS text messaging, #GroupMe streamlines organization and communication within groups offering an application which allows immediate group text-response capabilities. According to Microsoft (2022) explained, the mobile application is like a private chat room for small groups.
What is GroupMe? (microsoft.com)
Marco Polo
Marketed as a ‘video walkie talkie’, the Marco Polo app is a mobile asynchronous video messaging application. According to Joya Communications (2022), unlike other video apps, you don’t have to be live and video conversations can occur on your own time. Given the application was developed for the purpose of international communication, the Marco Polo app may possess value for some business communication crossing international time zones or personal communication with similar constrictions.
The Whatsapp was included because it has value as a communication/collaboration application with similar features to FaceTime, but also has a chat feature allowing both video-voice and text within the messaging system. Messages can be sent as video or text for instant-messaging purposes as well as some documents up to 100MB. According to Whatsapp (2022), the mobile application sends voice and video calls through your phone’s Internet connection, instead of your cell plan’s voice minutes, so you don’t have to worry about expensive calling charges. Interestingly, Whatsapp also has a send application specifically for business communication. The mobile application has gained tremendous popularity because of how it markets security and privacy protection. As Whatsapp (2022) further explained, the mobile application operates on end-to-end encryption so all content remains private and secure. These security and privacy measures have also raised concern for the application’s uses among youth.