Skype has quietly introduced a new video messaging service that lets users send video clips for recipients to watch later. The company has also announced that upgrades from Windows Live Messenger to Skype accounts will begin rolling out in April.
The new video messaging service lets users send video clips of up to three minutes in length. These video messages can then be played back by recipients once they are online. On smartphones, recordings can be made using either the front-facing or rear camera.
Video messaging is available now for Skype Premium users on iOS, Android and Mac, though 20 free messages are allocated to regular Skype users. Mac users will also be able to download the video messages.
Curiously, Windows and Windows Phone users won’t get the service until April, even though Skype is owned by Microsoft. In the meantime, these users will be able to receive and view video messages sent by others (bragging about getting the service first, no doubt).
This soft launch is merely a test drive of the new service, though, and Skype is asking users to provide their feedback on how they think things are coming along.
Meanwhile, Skype also announced that upgrades bringing Windows Live Messenger users to Skype will begin rolling out on 8 April, starting with English language clients, with a view to being finished by the end of the month.
It was announced last year that Windows Live Messenger would be retired in 2013 and users’ accounts would be merged with Skype, except in mainland China where Messenger will continue to operate.
