Skype rolls out free video messaging feature to all major platforms except Windows Phone 8
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Skype has announced that its video messaging feature is now out of preview (read beta) and is available as a free and full fledged feature in Skype clients for Windows desktop, Windows 8, Mac, and its mobile clients for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry. Users would need to update their apps to the latest version in order to get access to the new feature.
The interesting omission is Microsoft's very own Windows Phone 8. It's ironical that Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, did not roll out the full-fledged avatar of this feature on the platform with which it offers close integration. Skype for Windows Phone users can receive and view Video Messages, but they can not record and send Video Messages, at this point in time. According to Microsoft, the send functionality would be extended to the platforms at a later date.
Through Skype Video Messaging, users can record a video message of up to 3 minutes and send it to people on their contacts list if they're offline. The recipients will be able to watch the video message when they sign-in next time.
According to Skype's support FAQ page, the video messages will be available to view for six months, however if users want to keen them for an unlimited period they'll have to subscribe to Skype Premium.
The video messages feature was first launched in February, initially available to Skype users in the US and UK. The feature used to be a part of Skype Premium, and users could send 20 free messages after which they needed to subscribe to Skype Premium for a monthly fee of $4.99 (if subscribed annually) in order to continue using it.
The interesting omission is Microsoft's very own Windows Phone 8. It's ironical that Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, did not roll out the full-fledged avatar of this feature on the platform with which it offers close integration. Skype for Windows Phone users can receive and view Video Messages, but they can not record and send Video Messages, at this point in time. According to Microsoft, the send functionality would be extended to the platforms at a later date.
Through Skype Video Messaging, users can record a video message of up to 3 minutes and send it to people on their contacts list if they're offline. The recipients will be able to watch the video message when they sign-in next time.
According to Skype's support FAQ page, the video messages will be available to view for six months, however if users want to keen them for an unlimited period they'll have to subscribe to Skype Premium.
The video messages feature was first launched in February, initially available to Skype users in the US and UK. The feature used to be a part of Skype Premium, and users could send 20 free messages after which they needed to subscribe to Skype Premium for a monthly fee of $4.99 (if subscribed annually) in order to continue using it.
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