New research out today proves the importance of a good old-fashioned chat. Even in this digital age of social media and texting, the survey of 3,500 adults across four continents by new smartphone calling app FooTalk, found that hearing someone’s voice is a far richer experience that simply seeing words on a screen.

The research threw up some intriguing findings, contradicting long-held stereotypical views. In the UK for example, the FooTalk research revealed that it is men rather than women who speak on the phone most.

And in the USA, it was found that men have a larger circle of friends abroad than women and spend twice as long on the phone as their female counterparts.

Relationship psychologist, Susan Quilliam elaborates: “The classic joke is that it's the girls who are on the phone most. But actually it's guys who are becoming bigger fans of the phone conversation.

"By hearing someone's voice you get to not only learn more about what the other person's thinking, but they get to learn more about you. Add to that the fact that calls are fully and instantly responsive, immediate and interactive. If you talk to someone on the phone, you're fully focused on each other.”

It was India where those surveyed have more friends and relatives living abroad than other nationalities and are more likely to take advantage of new technology to aid staying in touch.

Graeme Hutchinson, founding management team member of Virgin Mobile and co-founder of FooTalk said: “People are travelling the world for work and pleasure more than ever, so we often now boast a truly international group of friends. They want and need ways to stay in touch with each other that are free or very low cost.”

“Facebook and Twitter might keep you abreast of your friends’ lives but there’s always more to be had from a conversation.”

FooTalk is a new app for iOS and Android that reduces the cost of making calls for smartphone users. It allows customers to make free calls to friends and family who have the app, anywhere in the world via Wi-Fi or 3G and 4G.

FooTalk also allows users to call any number at extremely low rates. Whether calling abroad or avoiding expensive roaming charges while travelling or simply to call friends locally.