If you're mainly looking for a low-key way to kill some time with a few friends with minimal effort, Houseparty, the group video chat app popular with teens, might be the best option. Pulling off a game night can take a bit more planning and setup, but the extra effort is worth the payoff.
JQBX WITH SPOTIFY MOVIE
This setup may not be ideal if you're watching a plot-heavy movie that requires you to follow along closely, but it was a lot of fun while watching 47 Meters Down. This way, we were able to watch the movie and also chat with each other. Once synced, we used an iPad with Google Hangouts open with the camera pointed at me and my partner on the couch and our friends did the same. This takes a little more finessing, so it might not be ideal for larger groups, but it's totally doable, and doesn't require you to connect your laptop to your TV. If that's the case, you can try the workaround a friend and I came up with while improvising a movie night with our partners, when we opted to manually sync up our feeds based on the timestamp. And, the extension only works for Netflix, so if you want to watch something on another service, you'll have to find another workaround. Netflix Party has recently had some technical issues, though, so you might need a backup plan just in case.
JQBX WITH SPOTIFY TV
But, since Netflix Party only works with Chrome, you'll either be stuck watching on your laptop, or you'll need to cast your screen or connect to your TV with an HDMI cable. There's also a chat feature, so you and your friends can swap messages while you watch.
JQBX WITH SPOTIFY INSTALL
You install the extension, and send a link to your friends and Netflix Party will keep everyone's streams timed up. The downside is that Netflix and most other major streaming platforms don't have their built-in multi-person viewing features, so arranging remote viewing parties does take a few extra steps.Įnter Netflix Party, a new Chrome extension that helps groups of friends sync up a Netflix stream. Netflix and other streaming services are basically ubiquitous, so most of us already have the basics in place. In some ways, movie nights are the simplest kind of remote gathering to set up. Lengthy video calls will drain your battery very, very quickly so if you can't keep your device plugged in for the whole call, at least have a charger handy.
For example, if you're going to be sharing your screen, you'll likely need a separate laptop or a phone if you want people to be able to see your face (just don't forget to mute one of them).įinally, don't forget to stay charged. If you plan on sitting more than a few inches away from your camera, try to use a headset with a mic.Īlso consider whether you'll need more than one device. If you'll be using a phone, make sure you have somewhere stable to prop it up. It's worth taking a few minutes before your virtual hangout sesh to scope out where you'll place your laptop or tablet so that you're in the frame as much as possible. Your friends likely aren't expecting a professional-level setup, but everyone will have a better time if they can actually see you.
You'll also want to think about lighting and how you're going to set up your camera. If you can, send out calendar invites with relevant links and detailed instructions ahead of time. You don't want to keep the whole group waiting because you forgot your Zoom login, or didn't realize one of your green-bubble friends doesn't have FaceTime. It sounds obvious, but double check that everyone knows when you plan on starting, and what apps they need ahead of time.
Instead of loading up on snacks for your guests, you'll need to make sure you have the right gear at the ready. While virtual hangouts shouldn't require much more planning than IRL get-togethers, they do require a different type of prep. With the right planning and a bit of creativity, you can have almost as much fun as the real deal. Hosting a remote game night or movie marathon is not only do-able, but easier than you might expect. And hanging out with friends doesn't have to be limited to phone calls and FaceTime. Luckily, social distancing doesn't mean we have to be lonely. As millions of us adapt to new lives in relative isolation, we're being forced to find increasingly creative ways to keep ourselves entertained.