TECH TALK: Relationship Tech, Part 2

Editor’s note: Besides following tech developments, our author is a musical composer(Juilliard-trained). He has provided a musical composition for you to listen to while reading this column. This piece is called changing keys and tonal centers.

Teleconferencing is the software category that can most impact relationships where collaboration is essential. This week, we’re taking a deeper dive into the major options.

I have personally used all the available teleconferencing platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, Slack, FaceTime, and WhatsApp. Meanwhile, new platforms are always emerging, and existing ones are constantly being updated.

I admit that I, like everyone else, have my biases. For instance, I deeply distrust any software company that has no clear business model. When I can’t identify how a company makes money, I suspect they’re selling my personal information.

Additionally, I’m concerned that any company that lacks a legitimate business model that respects the privacy of its users will not be able to afford the ongoing development needed to keep their product functional as new operating systems emerge annually.

I also require that a teleconferencing platform be user-friendly. When Zoom became available, I immediately purchased a subscription instead of using the free version. I wanted to support their continued ability to serve customers. Having tried many versions of teleconferencing software over the last 20 years, I found Zoom to be the most user-friendly. The amount of time wasted trying to get people online was and still is, for many, astonishing. Because, in many groups, I often found myself to be the most tech-savvy person, the tech support burden usually fell on me, so I had a strong incentive to find a foolproof solution.

And, as long as I’m being upfront about my biases, I confess to one more:  I used to be an Apple engineer and still believe that Apple products require the least IT support. I grew tired of supporting too many confused users, so I’ve stuck with Apple products. Although they have a higher price tag than alternatives, the personal time they have saved me is worth the extra cost.

Now, having gotten these concerns off my chest—about avoiding business models that sell my personal information, about needing user-friendly solutions, and about putting a priority on not wasting time—I’m ready to dive deeply into the many other choices available.

Zoom has emerged as the most popular choice due to its high user-friendliness and intuitive interface. It also supports large meetings of up to 1,000 participants on premium plans and offers end-to-end encryption with transparent data usage policies. Its subscription-based model reduces reliance on data sales, making it ideal for those prioritizing both ease of use and privacy. I have introduced many people to Zoom, and they required little or no assistance to get it running.

Microsoft Teams is another powerful option, especially for organizations already using the Microsoft Office 365 suite. I find it feature-rich but potentially overwhelming for new users. Teams boasts strong security policies and data protection but requires careful setup for optimal privacy settings. I think Microsoft Teams is excellent if you work for a company with an IT department to set it up for you.

Google Meet is integrated with Google Workspace, making scheduling via Google Calendar or Gmail a breeze if you like using Google stuff, which I do not, as they are primarily in the business of selling end-user information. This is also why I use Gmail only when people share files with me on Google Drive.

Cisco Webex is known for its reliability and strong security features. It provides high-quality audio/video and advanced features like AI transcription and breakout rooms. I found it complex for newcomers and potentially overkill for basic needs; I do not think Cisco ever got the hang of designing intuitive user interfaces. However, Webex does offer excellent privacy with end-to-end encryption and compliance standards, making it ideal for organizations prioritizing security and being willing to invest in a robust solution.

I did warn you I was biased about ease of use and security.

There are also some platforms specifically designed for teleconferencing using mobile devices. Apple FaceTime and WhatsApp are the two best known, and despite my general admiration for Apple, in this case I vastly prefer WhatsApp for mobile device relationship tech. Outside of the US, everyone uses this because it is free, and although I need help understanding their business model, there must be one because they are lasting and updating. This app runs on all platforms and permits easy file exchanges, especially when using a computer.

However, whatever teleconferencing platform you use, you will have more success using it with a computer rather than on a mobile device. Collaboration in general, and sharing documents in particular, are much more difficult on a mobile device and should certainly be avoided while driving. But if you are using relationship tech just to keep in touch with people, and not strictly for business, these mobile platforms work well. And even though I prefer Apple gear, I know it’s important to have ways to connect with people using different operating systems.

I have been exploring telecommunication options for decades now—yes, they have been around for that long—I still think Zoom is best for most people. No, it is not free, but yes, it always works, and the older I get, the more important this becomes to me.