Posted: 3/11/2026 1:49:58 AM EDT
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Two groups, a couple hundred miles apart, and one of the groups consists of people 70yo and up. They have access to a laptop, and some kind of smart phone. (I've never been there, so that's all I know). We're looking for a way to connect with short notice, and be able to stream either direction. So far I've heard of Zoom, Google Meet, and YouTube streaming (which I think you can do privately). With that very limited info, is there any way of saying what would work best for the older group, who generally wave off any talk of using tech? Some of us are hoping to set something up, with simple instructions like Turn it on, Click this icon, etc. |
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As much as I detest all things Meta (facebook) their WhatsApp program works on nearly any smartphone and does video calls quite easily which is what it sounds like you are wanting. Some phones natively support video calling now too (Apple Facetime for example). This is all 1 phone to 1 phone though. Zoom and Microsoft Teams (ugh) are the current standards for larger video conferencing stuff. You set up a room/channel then send them an invite link. If you are wanting to do streaming to a larger public audience then it will require a bit of configuration. Most people use a program called OBS on a PC to stream to the various platforms like Twitch, Kick, Rumble, and Youtube. It's pretty easy to set up after reading a few tutorials. |
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Video call on Facebook Messenger works seamlessly on any PC or phone if you're just streaming between two devices. MS Teams is extremely easy to use if you want multiple sign-ons from several different devices. Send meeting invites with sign-on link directly through Outlook. |
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It sounds like Facebook is the easiest, which is the main thing here. I'll be with my group again Saturday, and I'll bring this up. It's just between our two groups, not out to the internet or other places.That gives me a couple days to search How-To videos on YT, regarding the FB stuff. Thank you for the help. 
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There are a ton of video message apps... Android phones can do video calls directly. iPhones have their video calls which have a feature where you can send links for the chats to android users. Whatsapp, facebook's facetime, microsoft teams etc etc etc My mom was not tech savvy. Could never get her to use a computer or email. I tried to video chat with her by leaving an old phone and tried to make it as simple as possible by having just skype on the screen. I could barely get her to use it or understand how it worked. It was constant frustration and eventually we gave up. |
All of my extended family are using WhatsApp. It's easy to install and use on any smartphone. It will do text, voice calls and video calls. All encrypted (allegedly  ). You can set up groups of people, subgroups of those groups, etc. We once did a holiday family video call and had about a dozen connected simultaneously.
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
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Originally Posted By 67Firebird: Sounds pretty stable. Is it easy to open/start/join, for non-tech people? International calls have all of the above functionality. |
For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
| As far as I know, most if not all of the apps are free. You and a friend can install some/all and try them out. Keep the one you like. |
For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
Thomas Jefferson
"He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige
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After some YT searching, I plan to suggest Google Meet and then Whatsapp tomorrow. I'll report if we get one of them through, but either way I appreciate the help. Edit - Looks we're going with YouTube, and only one direction. Nobody thinks the older group could set up to send anything. |