Skype launches video messaging to all users
Baked into Skype's mobile and desktop apps, the new video-messaging feature has emerged from beta mode and is now available for everyone.
Any Skype user can now send a video message to friends and family who are offline.
Rolled out in February as a beta preview, Video Messaging launched on Monday to all Skype users. Those of you on Skype can record a video message to share with folks who aren't available. The message then pops up for your recipients after they log into Skype.
Built directly into the Skype software, Video Messaging is accessible via Skype for Windows desktop, Skype for Windows 8, Skype for Mac, Skype for iPhone, Skype for iPad, Skype for Android, and Skype for BlackBerry.
There's no limit -- you can send and receive as many video messages as you want, all free of charge. The video messages themselves can be as long as three minutes.
To send someone a video message, select the name of your recipient and then select Video Message. The person must be listed as offline for the Video Message button to appear. Select the record button once to kick off your video and again to stop the recording. You can play your recording before it goes out. If you're happy with it, select the envelope icon to send it off.
Skype's blog didn't list support for Microsoft's Windows Phone, however, which seems odd since Microsoft owns Skype. A spokesperson for Microsoft told CNET that Windows Phone users can already receive and view Skype Video Messages, and they'll inform us if send capability is added in the future.
Update, 11:00 a.m. PT: Adds response from Microsoft.