Yahoo Livetext: A video messenger app opens up globally

Last month, Yahoo had announced **Yahoo Livetext – Video Messenger** , an app that introduced a unique form of video texting that combines traditional text messages with video that does not include an audio feed. However, back then the app was only restricted to Hong Kong and a few other countries. Yahoo has finally opened up the app globally. In a post on the Yahoo blog, Arjun Sethi, Senior Director, Product Management, said, “Today, we’re rolling out Livetext around the world, so no matter where you are or what language you speak, you can live video text (without sound!) with anyone." The post added, “Now whether you’re hanging out in Rio de Janeiro, strolling down Las Ramblas in Barcelona, enjoying the courtyards of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul or checking out the Taj Mahal, you can spontaneously connect and share experiences with friends and family at anytime - even if they live across continents or oceans.” Yahoo claims Livetext is not an alternative to a smartphone’s built-in mobile apps rather it is “an entirely new way to stay in touch”. The app also seeks to solve the problem of how to better express ourselves by not relying on typing alone. “The advent of smartphones led a shift towards convenience and speed. We have gone from communicating primarily with our voices to using our fingers to text on glass,” said Yahoo. “Our solution is to go back to the basics, by putting your words and your friend’s real-time reactions at the centre of your interaction. We have removed audio from the equation, as it’s rarely convenient in today’s fast-paced world.” The free app uses either a WiFi or cellular connection and is focused on one-on-one messaging, not group chats.