UPDATED 16:20 EDT / FEBRUARY 15 2013

Skype Rolls Out Video Messages, Welcomes Windows Messenger Live Users

Skype is rolling out a new feature that would allow people to leave video messages for their offline contacts.

The feature is rolling out to iOS, Android and Mac users today, but ironically Skype’s new video messaging is not yet available for Windows users.  Though it’s not yet available for Windows, users can still receive the video messages, just not make them.

This is the second time Skype’s rolled out a major update to iOS and Android users, but not for its parent company’s products.  There’s no word yet as to why the Windows platform has been left out given the fact that Skype is a Microsoft subsidiary.

“We’re pleased that there’s interest for Video Messaging to come to Skype for Windows and Skype for Windows 8,” says a Skype spokesperson in response to Windows availability. “We’ll let you know when we expand the service to the platform.”

Skype users that have access to this feature can create three-minute long video messages, but is only available to a handful of users in the U.S. and United Kingdom.  Skype wants to know what people think about the feature, how well it’s being received, before officially flipping the switch and make it available for more Skype users.

Last September, rumors about the video messaging feature on Skype started to surface, sources claiming that the feature would be released by December.  December came, but only a hint about the feature was revealed when Skype updated its terms of service.

Leaving messages, either video or voice, seems to be becoming a trend.  Last month, Facebook introduced a new feature to its iOS and Android Messenger app that allows users to leave voice messages to their Facebook friends.  With the rise of chat apps and the decline of text messaging, we’re seeing more and more multimedia message capabilities from top players.

In other news, Windows Messenger Live users will now be moved to Skype.  Last year, Skype announced that the two services will be coming together and allowed Messenger users to contact Skype friends and vice versa.  The move is brought about by the retirement of Messenger which was announced last year.

“We want everyone who uses Messenger to have a positive experience. Upgrading to Skype can help you communicate in flexible ways, and be connected on more devices and platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Windows Phone, Android and soon Blackberry,” wrote Parri Munsell on Skype’s blog.

The Messenger to Skype upgrade will take some weeks to complete starting on April 8.  The upgrades will start with Skype’s English language clients, and finish up with Brazilian Portuguese on April 30 or later.


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