Skype And Going After The Qik Generation

Yesterday Skype Technologies S.A. announced the launch of their latest app Skype Qik. This video messaging app is used alongside the main Skype app and is available on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

Piero Sierra, Skype’s director of mobile explained to The Verge “We’re responding to the big trends in the industry”. “We wanted to make sure we had something in between those scheduled Skype calls that is light, fun, easy to use, and fast. That’s why the name Qik resonated with us.”

Almost seven years ago, Qik originally started off as an online video-streaming app. Skype acquired Qik a few years ago after being impressed by the technology and mobile focus. In April Microsoft Corp. decided to retire the original app, however now it has returned as a video-messaging app

Skype Qik competes with other video-messaging apps like FaceTime, iMessage, Snapchat, Glide and Facebook Messenger. Microsoft is betting that the ease use and the Skype brand will be enough of a differentiation to allow the app to stand out from the crowd.

It couldn’t be simpler to get started with Skype Qik. Download the app, sign in using your mobile number and start video messaging with your friends. While you are recording you can quickly switch between the front and rear-facing camera on your smartphone. There’s no preview, the video gets sent immediately to your friend or group of friends. The maximum length of a video is 42 seconds. Bit of an odd and random number, but it is because 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

If after sending a video you suddenly realize (or perhaps only realize a few days later) that you probably shouldn’t have sent that video, don’t despair; Skype Qik has a unique feature that allows you to delete those embarrassing videos off your friends phone once you come to your senses. There is also no way to save videos in the app and all videos will automatically be deleted after two weeks.

One of the most unique features is probably Qik Fliks. It lets’ you prerecord up to 12 short videos to use when you need to fire off a quick reply but don’t have time to record. Say goodbye to the boring smiley face of old or the overused ‘LOL’.