Skype Qik Explained

Skype Qik
Screenshot Size:250px
Collapsible:yes
Developer:Microsoft (as the Microsoft Skype division)
Discontinued:Yes
Genre:Video messaging
License:Proprietary
Qik, Inc.
Type:Private
Fate:Acquired by Skype Technologies
Foundation:Redwood City, CA, USA

Skype Qik was a video messaging service by Skype. It was created by the company, Skype Technologies, who acquired Qik. The service, offered for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices, allowed users to exchange video messages between individuals or within a group.[1]

Previously, the Qik service offered a mobile-based live video-sharing website and two-way video conferencing application that allowed users to stream live video from their cell phones to the internet.[2] Qik enabled users to record and upload video directly from supported cell phones. Qik, a Silicon Valley startup, launched its alpha version in December 2007 and went into public beta in July 2008.[3]

Qik was compatible with approximately 140+ cell phones.[4] Qik videos can be shared on numerous services including Ovi Share, Facebook via Facebook Connect, Twitter, Livestream, 12secondstv, YouTube, Blogger, Seesmic, Tumblr, WordPress, Digg, StumbleUpon, Del.icio.us, MySpace, and Technorati. The videos can also be shared directly on the Qik website or embedded on a webpage for live or pre-recorded videos.

The company's headquarters were located in Redwood City, California, with a satellite office that was located in Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia.

It was announced on January 6, 2011, at CES, that Skype had acquired Qik for a sum of $150 million.[5] [6]

On February 22, 2016, Microsoft announced their plans to retire the Skype Qik app on March 24 citing low usage.[7] Many features from the app have been integrated into the Skype app.[8]

History

Qik was founded in a garage by Ramu Sunkara, Bhaskar Roy and Nikolay Abkairov in 2006.[9]

In April 2008, Qik received $3 million (~$ in) in Series B funding from Marc Benioff (Salesforce.com), Arjun Gupta (Telesoft Partners), and George Garrick (Jingle Networks).[10] In September 2008, a month after its beta release, Qik received an undisclosed amount of investments from Netscape veterans Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. Both agreed to serve as board advisers on Qik.[11]

In mid-2009, Qik received another round of funding under $5.5 million (~$ in) from Peter Loukianoff at Almaz Capital and Quest Venture Partners, and some private investors.[12]

In January 2011, Skype acquired Qik for $150 million.[13] [14]

On March 19, 2014, Skype and Qik users received emails announcing the original Qik service was being retired. Notification of the impending shut-down was also posted on the company website. The Qik service was subsequently shut down on April 30, 2014.

The new Skype Qik service was launched on October 14, 2014.[15]

After 9 years of service, on February 23, 2016, Microsoft decided to shut down Qik, therefore users will no longer be able to send or receive any messages via the video chat application. However, the company has also stated that many features of Qik are available via the Skype app.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Skype Relaunches Qik as Social Video Messaging App . Olivarez-Giles . Nathan . October 14, 2014 . . October 14, 2014.
  2. News: Jason . Kincaid . Start Streaming: Qik Opens To The Public . The Washington Post . July 20, 2008 . August 3, 2008.
  3. News: Deleon . Nicholas . Qik goes into public Beta . techcrunch.com . April 28, 2009 . April 28, 2009 . March 30, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100330055338/http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/qik-goes-into-public-beta/ . dead .
  4. News: Official Qik website . Supported Phones for Qik . qik.com . April 27, 2009 . April 27, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090417002007/http://www.qik.com/info/supported_phones . April 17, 2009.
  5. https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/06/confirmed-skype-buys-mobile-video-startup-qik/ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
  6. https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/skype-announces-plans-to-acquire-qik/ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik
  7. News: Hachman . Mark . The Skype Qik app was redundant, so Microsoft is shutting it down . February 22, 2016 . February 22, 2016.
  8. News: Perez . Sarah . Skype Kills Its Standalone Video Messaging App Qik . February 22, 2016 . . February 22, 2016.
  9. Web site: Moon . Bernard . 2012-11-04 . Qik Founder's Story: Taking Mobile Video Out Of The Garage And Putting It Into The Hands Of Skype . 2023-07-23 . TechCrunch . en-US.
  10. News: Liz Gannes . Qik confirms funding, Shares plans . newteevee.com . April 27, 2009 . April 27, 2009 . April 21, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090421102048/http://newteevee.com/2008/04/09/qik-confirms-funding-shares-plans/ . dead .
  11. News: Dawn Kawamoto . Qik attracts Andreessen-Horowitz investment . cnet.com . April 27, 2009 . April 27, 2009.
  12. News: Tameka . Kee . Qik Nabs $5.5 Million In Funding For Mobile Video Streaming . https://archive.today/20130630140616/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-07-08/news/36884691_1_ovi-store-content-apps-mobile-video . dead . June 30, 2013 . The Washington Post . July 8, 2009 . July 30, 2009.
  13. https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/06/confirmed-skype-buys-mobile-video-startup-qik/ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
  14. https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/skype-announces-plans-to-acquire-qik/ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik
  15. News: Kosur . James . Qik Shutting Its Doors On April 30, Will Refund Paying Customers. . Social News Daily . March 20, 2014.