Hey everyone, we are so excited to announce our latest feature: Family Share!  What is it?  Watch this 1 minute video, or read on to learn about your Spark's new tricks!

So you just bought a new ONSCREEN Spark, but you would love to have your roommate, significant other, or other members of your household to be able to use it as well -- right?  Well, before this update, you probably had to share your account login or something really creative like that.  Now, with the new Multi-User option, you can simply invite them to your Spark, and they'll be able to make and receive calls just like you do!

How do I enable Family Share?

We're glad you asked!

1. Set up your Spark like you normally would -- we assume this part is already done

2. Have the person that you want to share your Spark with download the ONSCREEN App for their mobile device.

3. Once they've downloaded the app, make sure they create an account.  Make note of the Email address they used to create the account.

4. Now back on your ONSCREEN App, click on the "Spark" button, at the bottom of the screen.  This takes you to our new Device Details screen.

5. From the "Spark" screen, in the "Users" section, click on "Invite a User to this Spark"

6. One the next screen, simply enter the email address of your friend/significant other.  They will instantly be invited to use the Spark!

7. Now, when they open the app, they will see that they can place a call with the Mobile App... or your Spark!

Bonus Prize

The latest version of the ONSCREEN App also lets you give your Spark a name!  From the "Spark" screen, simply click the "Name your Spark" button, and now you can provide a descriptive name like "Living Room" to let you clearly tell the people you're sharing with what this device is.

To make it easier, we've created this video for you that walks you through the entire process.  Enjoy!

FAQ

Q: How many people can I invite to share my Spark?

A: We didn't really place a limit, but we'd recommend you keep it under 5.

Q: Can others share my Spark to join Zoom meetings?

A: Yes, they can use it just like the original owner can.

Q: What happens if multiple people try to use it at the same time?

A: The Spark that's being used by someone else will show up as "In Use" to others if they try to use it at the same time, so they won't be able to.  They'll just have to wait until the Spark is freed up.

Q: Can I own multiple devices, and share multiple them with multiple people?

A: Not at this time, but we're working on that.  For now, each ONSCREEN account can own 1 device, so if you want multiple devices in your household (like one for each room), we recommend that each member of the household can be a primary owner of a device, and then share it with others in the household.  

Got feedback?  Please send us a note at care@onscreeninc.com

With the world increasingly becoming a global village, remaining in touch with friends and loved ones is thankfully now much easier.

One of the most enjoyable and fun ways to have conversations with friends is to use TV video calling, which allows you to see and speak to each other in real time. 

If you are looking for a fun way to socialize with friends living in other countries, have you ever considered cooking together via a Zoom call on your TV?

Themed TV video calls have become extremely popular since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and what better way to enjoy one another’s company than to have a delicious (virtual) meal together?

Here is how you can have fun cooking with your friends, no matter where they are located in the world!

Set up your kitchen and video calling screen

First things first, set up your kitchen and remove any obstructions so that your friends can clearly see you from the TV and see what you are doing.  Lighting is important so make sure that your kitchen is well-lit.

For some people, cooking to some of their favorite tunes may be an everyday thing. But we do suggest holding off on this, or turning the music down during your call as this could interfere with the sound quality of the video call.

Decide on a great recipe

Deciding on a great recipe is part of the fun. Making a region-specific dish is a fun way of learning more about the culture where your friend is living. For instance, if you are currently living in Italy, why not make a genuine Italian pasta dish and give your friends a taste of what you’re experiencing?

Remember not to make it too complicated or something containing ingredients that your friends will have trouble sourcing where they are located. 

Consider dressing up or having a theme to shake things up

To add an element of creativity to your virtual culinary call, everyone could dress up formally or dress according to a certain theme (eg. regional attire or the sports team that you all support).

Have fun preparing your dish

To maximize the quality time spent together, you might want to prepare the ingredients beforehand. For instance, do all the chopping of herbs and vegetable cutting before the TV video call so that you have plenty of time to chat and catch up.

When it’s time to make the recipe, you can help each other get it right and laugh at the different ways in which you do things!

Once the dish is simmering away or in the oven, you can sit back with a glass of your favorite wine and catch up with your friends.

Eat together

When your meal is finally ready, everyone can enjoy the experience of eating virtually together- it will be almost as if you are all in the same room and you won’t be able to wait until the next virtual cooking date!

Looking for the best way to connect with friends via TV video calling? Our secure Spark TV video calling device is perfect and will ensure you get great quality calls that stay private.

For more information, click here.