With tablets becoming smaller and functionality getting better it’s no surprise that many iPad users out there are really embracing their social side. Whether it be social media, networking, hanging out in community forums or video chatting with a friend, the options are really rather endless.  As such, desktop computer use is on the wane for the casual internet user as the market sees a steady and continuous shift towards smartphones and tablets. The great news is that iPad users can even experience a variety of apps that help to stay in touch with friends and family without costing a penny!  So let’s have a look at a few of the options:

Apps for making Phone Calls with an iPad

Skype: Tried and trusted across the board, Skype have a great iPad app that works well over Wi-Fi/3G/4G. You can use Skype for iPad to call anyone else on Skype, or sign up for a monthly subscription/credits to make cheap calls to landlines or mobile/cell phones. Call quality depends on your (and the your contact’s) internet speed.

Facetime: Facebook needs no introduction with their ‘Facetime’ feature allowing for free calls (including video feed) to other users with the app installed.

Whatsapp: Bought out a while back by Facebook, Whatsapp also has a free phone call service (audio) to other users with Whatsapp installed.  Call quality is often with a slight delay but provided you have a decent internet connection the service is more than acceptable.

Viber: this app claims to help users "avoid mobile phone bill shock”, allowing calls and texts over a 3G or Wi-Fi Internet connection to other Viber users. Viber is now compatible with the iPad, and synchs with your mobile phone number and contact list to instantly show who already has Viber (network charges may apply).

Fring is another app that allows free calls with iPad to other Fring users, with different pricing models being provided for mobile and landlines when calling out internationally. Fring can also be used for group video calls.

The Solution to the Drawback of these Free Calling Apps

As with all free calling apps there is a caveat here, which many users view as a drawback.  This is that calls are only free when the other user has the same app installed.  So you really need to find out which of your favourite friends and family members are using the same apps as you, perhaps syncing your uses accordingly.  This could result in you needing to have multiple apps installed.  However, what about your contacts who are not hooked up with a smartphone or tablet (or perhaps even internet access)?  Fortunately there are solutions for this too, whereby you can make calls from your iPad to ‘normal’ mobile/cell phones and landlines….

Rebtel: The Rebtel app allows calling via iPad to any phone worldwide with great rates and a track record for high call quality and customer service excellence.  This means that any friend or relative who doesn’t necessarily have the same free app as you, or who is perhaps not logged in to the right app, can still receive your call – all at the cost of a cheap local phone call.