Microsoft-owned Skype has brought a new video feature to its Mac, iPhone and Android applications, enabling the new ‘Video Messaging’ service that allows users to send prerecorded messages to their friends and family, acting as a quick and useful video voicemail service.
Using the latest version of Skype (Version 6.2.0.1117) on Mac adds a new “Send Video Message” option to the Conversations menu, automatically loading a familiar looking video screen, with a record button and options to cancel. Video Messages can be up to three minutes in length and you’ll be able to send at least 20 until Skype starts asking for payment.
If you’re a Windows user, you’ll have to wait to be able to send Video Messages, but you will still be able to receive them.
A Skype spokesperson told The Verge that it is coming to the platform, though: “We’re pleased that there’s interest for Video Messaging to come to Skype for Windows and Skype for Windows 8. We’ll let you know when we expand the service to the platform.”
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If you have the latest version of Skype on Mac, iOS and Android, you should now be able to access the feature in contact menus.
Update: Skype reached out to us with the following comment on the platform support of the new feature:
“Video Messaging is in early release for testing in several markets for Android, iOS, and Mac with functionality to send and receive video messages. Users in these markets across all Windows desktop and mobile platforms can receive messages, too. We will have send capability in Windows by end of April. In the meantime, we continue to test this new feature in its early release.”
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