The COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken our lives. Even after several months enduring the effects of this dreaded virus, life has not returned to normal completely. However, people have worked around living with the virus and the social isolation it has brought about. They have found a new way to function. For instance, people have turned to technology to communicate, work, stay in touch with relatives, and find love. Digital natives have found a new form of dating and freedom in managing their romantic entanglements that the generations before lacked. They have found new independence in dating through online apps. This has led to an upsurge in the usage of video chatting apps.
If you want to make the most of this virtual partner-finding arena, you must know the workings of it. Read on to find out more about using these video chatting apps to connect with new people in the search for your soulmate.
Benefits of video chatting apps
Social distancing has been a curse for all, be it a child not being able to go to school and parks or for an adult who cannot go to the office, socialize, or do the routine jobs of maintaining a home. However, technology has come to the rescue. Kids now participate in online school while adults have taken to the world of virtual conferences and work from home schedules. Technology works beautifully even for those in search of new love. Online dating apps like Bumble, OkCupid and even video chatting apps like Camfrog, Paltalk, Google Hangouts offer a boon. Here is why.
Seeing is believing
Having an audio conversation with somebody does not give the same feeling as seeing the person while conversing. Video chatting apps do that and more. You can communicate with your date and make it as real as possible through video chatting apps. It also gives you a sense of how and where the person lives. Though it is quite possible the person you are dating through these apps might tidy up the surroundings for the video call, once you are comfortable with the person you can also ask him/her to show you the house.
Share pictures and videos
To make conversations more interesting and exciting you can share pictures of each other or places of interest. When you are more familiar with each other, you can also share family photographs along with interesting videos relating to your likes and interests. This adds more depth and dimension to the conversations. It also helps understand each other’s likes and dislikes better.
Indulge in interesting conversations
Many video chatting apps like Paltalk have public chat rooms where you can share and discuss particular topics. You can invite your love interest to be a part of such groups and you both can participate in interesting debates and discussions. This type of conversation also helps to gauge each other and your interests better.
No expenditure on dates
Going on a date in the usual scenario would mean a dent in your pocket. From transport to reach the venue, ordering drinks and food, to getting back, all of it accounts for some amount of money. Imagine if you had to do this more than once a week. It would mean setting aside a fair share of your income for date nights. However, thanks to video chatting apps, you spend no money on dates. Most of the apps are available free of charge while some might levy a minimal fee for an extended period of time. You can sit in the comfort of your home, not spend a penny, and still go on multiple dates. Isn’t that brilliant!
Perfect for introverts
Video chatting apps or dating apps are the best bet for introverts. If you are the kind to be a little awkward during the first date or are uncomfortable making a conversation face-to-face or are timid to go to bars, parties and other social outings with your date, then dating apps are a dream come true. They give you the opportunity to be yourself and break the ice before your first official encounter.
Give more options
Typically, video chatting platforms or dating apps have a database of people who have registered with them. You need to also give your details and become a part of that database. Now, once you are on the app, you can scroll through the profiles of all the people on the app and then shortlist some as per your choice. Thus, easily and effortlessly, you can find more number of likable people through these apps than you would through friends and family.
Time-Saving
Online daters save a lot of time in vetting potential matches, before deciding on the perfect one. With the digital format of dating, you do not have to worry about going on dozens of dates before finding out if the person is compatible. You can get to know a lot about the person through their profile itself. In fact, many online-dating sites have algorithms that allow you to check compatibility before engaging with a potential match. With this, you can narrow down your search before you start the initial ice-breaker conversation, saving you a lot of time.
Best way to find a video chatting app
Now that you know the benefits of being on a dating app or a video chatting app, you should know how to find a suitable one. There are thousands of apps and each one looks more attractive than the previous one. However, you should not fall for pretty advertisements and packaging. Thorough research and study are the key to finding a suitable app to fulfill your requirements.
Security
To begin with, always check out the security features of the app. All the conversations should be end-to-end encrypted. Also, the firewalls of the app should be very stringent. Remember, there are fraudsters lurking around all the time, waiting to nab innocent novices. However, if the app has strong safety features, the chances of any fraud are minimal.
Maintaining Anonymity
Quite often people are uncomfortable with sharing personal information with strangers, particularly on online dating apps. Some are simply shy, while others are cautious. It is always best to be careful with your personal details till you know the person in question well. Some of the video chatting apps allow you to maintain your anonymity for as long as you want. Look out for such apps so that your safety is not compromised.
Look for a feature-heavy app
Finding your love-interest through dating apps can be overwhelming as you cannot get a complete vibe of the person as you would if you had met them in real life. Hence, it is important to look for an app that has many kinds of features. Chatting and talking is just one aspect of understanding a person. However, to know their interests, likes and dislikes, religious viewpoints and more, you should be able to indulge in conversations and experiences on these matters.
Choose a video chatting app like Camfrog or Paltalk, popular video chatting portals in the US, where you can join public chat rooms to indulge in good debates and discussions or share YouTube videos through MediaPal or simply send a gift or sticker to break the ice. All these features will help you know the person’s interests and also help communicate on myriad topics.
Cross-platform compatibility
Look for apps that have cross-platform compatibility, which means that you can use the app on any device through iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, etc. This will increase the coverage of the app and you will not have to worry about device compatibility.
Economic viability of the app
Today, there are numerous video chatting apps and most of them are available for download at no charge at all. These apps are great, especially for general entertainment. However, if you want to use the premium services of these apps, you will need to spend some money. Therefore, it is vital to read the terms and conditions mentioned in the fine print and also understand the payment terms properly, or else you could be in for a rude (and expensive) shock.
Look for filters in the apps
You definitely want to look your best whether you are going on an actual date or meeting someone through a virtual date. Since the lockdown is still stringent in many places, stepping out to get your hair done or do a bleach may not be possible. Fret not, as now some apps have new video filters. These filters can enhance your looks and make you look your best self without doing much. Get ready to have a beach tan or look like your favorite rock star with the click of a button. Look for apps that offer these filters to get a real date feel.
Must-have for video chatting and online dating
Imagine you are on your first virtual date and suddenly the internet speed reduces and you cannot see your date and his voice is unclear. Or imagine waiting for a long time to share videos and audio clippings to your date. It can get frustrating and annoying for both parties. For these reasons, there are a few must-haves that are crucial for a seamless video chatting experience.
Stable and fast Internet speed
You need to have a good stable internet connection with fast speed to be able to enjoy the beautiful world of online dating. The bandwidth should be good enough for you to send and receive videos, audio notes, texts, and documents. Find a reliable connection before plunging into your first online date.
Webcam and headphones
Most of the gadgets like tablets and smartphones have built-in cameras. However, these are low-resolution cameras that might hinder the quality of the video and hamper the whole experience of online dating. Imagine not being able to see your date clearly or having the colors mismatched. Thus, it is advisable to invest in a good external HD webcam. Similarly, you should also procure a pair of earphones so that the sound quality is superior and your conversations are private.
Device and software compatibility
Firstly, procure a device that runs any operating system, including Windows, iOS, and others. Confirm the app you download is compatible with the gadget you have, including a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. Also, download the latest version of the app that you plan to use so that it does not use too much space on the gadget and provides fast streaming.
Create a good ambiance for video chatting
Online dating can be distracting sitting amongst people in your house or if your space is dirty and cluttered with less lighting. To give your date your complete attention and to feel good while on the online date, ensure that you are sitting in a closed room with no outside sounds and sights. Ensure the room is nicely lit so that your date can see you clearly. Also, it is a good idea to keep that room clean and decluttered. As they say — first impressions are lasting impressions.
Conclusion
COVID – 19 is here to stay so it is best to work around it and lead as normal a life as you can. Maintaining social distancing and yet finding ways to fulfill your love quotient is the new normal now. Throw in-person romance out of the window in the present times and flirt with potential paramours through online dating apps or video chatting apps. From scheduling a late-night hookup to ghosting a bore, you can exercise an independence that an in-person date may not have allowed. All those of you looking for romance this winter, plunge into the virtual dating world and use video chatting service providers like Paltalk, and bid farewell to lonely winter blues.
