You may be used to using short message services (SMS) from your GSM operators and being charged for each message, which is actually the same as for calling services. Nowadays, more and more people use cell phones with an Internet connection, so they communicate via the Internet using their phones and mobile devices. Now there is a solution that combines the best of both worlds, sending SMS and via the Internet. The result is that the message is sent and received as data. This application is called the WhatsApp® and is available for the most commonly used mobile operating systems, so you can use this application in an iPhone®, BlackBerry®, Nokia® or Android™-based cell phone. WhatsApp® Messenger users can send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages. The instructions below demonstrate how to install this application on an Android™-based device, but the process is similar to all other cell phones mentioned here.
Downloading and installing WhatsApp®:
- Go to the Android™ Market and tap on the “search” (magnifying glass) icon in the upper right corner.
- Enter “Whatsapp” Into the search box and tap on the “search” (magnifying glass) icon again.
- “WhatsApp Messenger” should be the first result in the list. Tap on it and then tap on the “Install” button and download and install this application.
- Once the installation process has finished, launch the application.
- Click on the “Agree and Continue” button in the initial screen.
- Select your country from the dropdown menu and enter your phone number. Click on the “OK” button.
- Enter your nickname and click on the “OK” button again.
- To communicate with people from your contact list who have this application, click on the “pen” icon in the right-top corner of your screen.
- Now you can chat with people who have WhatsApp® installed in their mobile devices and send SMS for free.
