Despite the COVID-19 pandemic adding pressure to this year's festive season, with limits placed on social gatherings, and travel restrictions, we can still spend quality time and make fond memories with the people we love. Stay connected with those who matter and get by this holiday season with technology.
1. Get Some Face Time
Besides sharing photos and messages through social media platforms, enjoy quality facetime with video chat apps.
Skype is perfect for big groups. Its Group Video Calling feature allows up to 100 participants for up to 4 hours per video call. Even with a usage limit of 100 hours each month, that's still plenty of catch-up time if you ask us.
Skype is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
If you want to spend one-on-one time with a significant other, a Zoom meeting will work just as well. Unlike free Zoom meetings that cut off after 40 minutes when there are 3 or more participants, the platform’s free version allows 2 participants to chat for up to 24 hours at a time!
Zoom is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Both platforms also have desktop versions. However, to ensure that your video call is free from any frozen screens and crashes, a good internet connection is a must. At M1, we offer a wide range of Fibre Broadband plans. For video calls, a 500Mbps Fibre Broadband or 1Gbps Fibre Broadband connection should be enough. Choose either a 12 or 24-month contract plan that starts from prices as low as $29.90/mth and say goodbye to dropping out from your video calls.
2. Arrange a Holiday Movie Night
Want to watch a holiday classic on Netflix with your bestie? You can do so with Teleparty! A free Chrome extension for watching your favourite shows on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max in sync with friends, Teleparty is the new way to watch TV together. Not sure how to use Teleparty? Simply:
- Install Teleparty by adding it to your Chrome browser
- Pin Teleparty to your toolbar
- Choose a movie or show on your favourite streaming platform and start playing the video
- Click on the “NP” logo on the top right of your Chrome browser to create a Teleparty
- Send the shareable code to your friends so that they can join in on the fun
You can even chat with them via the extension’s text chat feature. So, get a Netflix subscription, speedy internet connection, and binge away on the latest releases like Squid Game!
Worried that online video streaming will take a toll on your internet network? Subscribe to a 2Gbps Wi-Fi Fibre Broadband plan, where you can dedicate 1 connection for high bandwidth activities like this! At just $59.90/mth, M1’s 2Gbps home broadband also comes with a free Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for a fast internet connection.
3. Give Back to the Community
Spread a little festive cheer by helping others in need. After all, the holiday season is also the season of giving. In Singapore, many community heroes have put others before themselves. From distributing care packages to distributing thousands of meals, the pandemic has brought out the best in many, and you can play your part too with a vast array of apps and websites available.
Community tasking app Outside makes it fun and easy for users to help others. Connecting neighbours within the community, users can help others with their daily errands. It's a great platform and you can help seniors living alone and may not have anyone to celebrate the holiday season with.
Giving.sg is another great platform to tap into. From fundraising to donating, this website has supported over 600 registered charities and raised over $329 million!
4. Get Personal & Reboot
Taking time out from your busy schedule to connect with family and friends and maybe even serve the community is a most wonderful way to spend the holidays. But COVID-19 fatigue is exhausting, so take the time to give yourself some love too. Try meditation or exploring old hobbies, and use the opportunity to focus on and connect with yourself.