Yahoo launched Livetext, the messaging app that relies on video, no sound and classical text to chat up your friends
Yahoo’s Livetext messaging app was officially announced on Wednesday in New York City. We might think that yet another messaging app is rather redundant.
However, never say never. Livetext might prove captivating with its unique no-audio video feature, on which classic text and emojis relay the message. Livetext skilfully combines classic messaging app features with Snapchat features.
During the press conference, the video messaging app was demonstrated by Arjun Sethi, senior director of product management at Yahoo. Videos connecting Sethi with coworkers were spiced with funny faces and showing off their environments, but the actual messaging relied on texting.
The app is available for both Android and iOS users and is ready for mass enjoyment. If you want to start a video conversation with a person, you need to be connected as friends. Ask your friend for a Livetext session and enjoy the video messaging, albeit audioless as the friend joins in.
For now, group sessions are not available. However, Sethi believes that the feature could be added soon.
Where did this novel idea stem from? Adam Chan, who is the senior director of video, desing and emerging products at Yahoo explained that typically people understand a video session as an obligation rather than a spontaneous connection with friends. In his words:
“it feels like you need to make an appointment”.
As such, doing away with the sound that is the major inconvenience if one is, let’s say, in a crowded, noisy place or class or any other environment where even a phone call would be inappropriate, might turn out to be a major shift on the messaging app market.
Livetext was developed on MessageMe technology. The MessageMe startup was purchased by Yahoo during the previous year. That is also when Arjun Sethi joined Yahoo’s team. Curious as it may sound before you’ve tried it, Livetext is bound to simplify communication via our smart devices.
Doing away with sound and keeping text as a means to convey messages keeps it close to the ranks of already established messaging apps. Yet, introducing video in that equation makes conveying emotions and feelings a lot easier.
Livetext was already tested in Hong Kong, Ireland and Taiwan, as well as at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Ohio State University.
Photo Credits cnet4.com
