Video messaging made easy with new free app from Microsoft

Oct 14, 2014 13:28 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft purchased Qik a few years ago, but the company actually discontinued the video streaming service this year in April, making everyone believe that it’s no longer interested in implemented its features in its products.

It turns out, however, that Redmond actually had a much more ambitious plan in mind, so today the company has unveiled Skype Qik, a new messaging app that’s based on the original service, but also on the power of the VoIP platform Skype.

Needless to say, Skype Qik is not the first app of its kind, and there’s no doubt that it’s going to face quite serious competition on the market, with Facetime, Facebook Messenger, BBM, and other apps promising to offer pretty much the same features.

But Microsoft claims that Skype Qik is different because setting it up and using it is piece of cake, with everything performed almost instantly after you install the app.

Full focus on video messaging

Basically, Skype Qik is an application that’s supposed to make video messaging a breeze, so once installed on your phone, just provide your phone number to sign up and start chatting with friends. Your Qik contacts will appear on the list, while those without the app will receive an SMS with instructions on how to download it on their devices as well.

Video messages that you send to these contacts won’t be deleted, but saved on the servers until they log in for the very first time.

Skype Qik automatically sends the video you record to selected contacts without offering any editing features, so there’s not even a preview to check the clip before leaving your phone. What’s more, there are options called Qik Flik to record 5-second videos that can be used whenever they’re needed for quick replies or anything like that.

Videos will, however, be available for a maximum of 2 weeks, and the company says that you can erase the ones you don’t want from the chat.

Only available on mobile platforms

Skype Qik is not available on Windows or Mac OS X, but only on Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices. Some of the features, such as Qik Flik, are not available on certain platforms, but the company promises that all will be offered to everyone in the coming months.

“Skype Qik is a new video messaging app that gives you a totally effortless way to capture the moment, share laughs, and chat with groups of friends,” Microsoft said.

“We know you love your weekly Skype calls with family or friends; Qik keeps you connected in between. Dinner with friends? Bored at work? Having a great day in the park? Go on, share it right from your phone. You’d be surprised how quickly a short video can turn into a great conversation.”

Even though Microsoft has said that Skype Qik is already up for grabs, the program doesn’t show up in Windows Phone Store, Play store, or App Store, so we shall update the article with the download links once they become available.