Developer(s)Microsoft (as the Microsoft Skype division)
Initial releaseOctober 14, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-10-14)
Final release
  • iOS:
    1.9.1 (October 12, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-10-12)) [±][1]
  • Android:
    1.9.0.6513-release (June 16, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-06-16)) [±][2]
  • Windows Phone:
    1.2.1.158 (November 14, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-11-14)) [±][3]
Operating system
TypeVideo messaging
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.skype.com/en/qik
Qik, Inc.
Company typePrivate
FoundedRedwood City, CA, USA (2007 (2007))
Founder
  • Ramu Sunkara
  • Bhaskar Roy
  • Nikolay Abkairov
DefunctApril 30, 2014 (2014-04-30)
FateAcquired by Skype Technologies

Skype Qik /kwɪk/ 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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6]

Qik was compatible with approximately 140+ cell phones.[7] 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.[8][9]

On February 22, 2016, Microsoft announced their plans to retire the Skype Qik app on March 24 citing low usage.[10] Many features from the app have been integrated into the Skype app.[11]

History

Qik was founded in a garage by Ramu Sunkara, Bhaskar Roy and Nikolay Abkairov in 2006.[12]

In April 2008, Qik received $3 million (~$4.02 million in 2022) in Series B funding from Marc Benioff (Salesforce.com), Arjun Gupta (Telesoft Partners), and George Garrick (Jingle Networks).[13] 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.[14]

In mid-2009, Qik received another round of funding under $5.5 million (~$7.33 million in 2022) from Peter Loukianoff at Almaz Capital and Quest Venture Partners, and some private investors.[15]

In January 2011, Skype acquired Qik for $150 million.[16][17]

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.[18]

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

References

  1. ^ "Skype Qik: Group Video Messaging". iTunes Preview. Apple. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  2. ^ "Skype Qik: Group Video Messaging". Google Play Store. Google. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  3. ^ "Skype Qik". Windows Phone Apps + Games. Microsoft. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Olivarez-Giles, Nathan (October 14, 2014). "Skype Relaunches Qik as Social Video Messaging App". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  5. ^ Kincaid, Jason (July 20, 2008). "Start Streaming: Qik Opens To The Public". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
  6. ^ Nicholas, Deleon (April 28, 2009). "Qik goes into public Beta". techcrunch.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  7. ^ Official Qik website (April 27, 2009). "Supported Phones for Qik". qik.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  8. ^ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
  9. ^ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik
  10. ^ Hachman, Mark (February 22, 2016). "The Skype Qik app was redundant, so Microsoft is shutting it down". Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  11. ^ Perez, Sarah (February 22, 2016). "Skype Kills Its Standalone Video Messaging App Qik". TechCrunch. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  12. ^ Moon, Bernard (November 4, 2012). "Qik Founder's Story: Taking Mobile Video Out Of The Garage And Putting It Into The Hands Of Skype". TechCrunch. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Liz Gannes (April 27, 2009). "Qik confirms funding, Shares plans". newteevee.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  14. ^ Dawn Kawamoto (April 27, 2009). "Qik attracts Andreessen-Horowitz investment". cnet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  15. ^ Kee, Tameka (July 8, 2009). "Qik Nabs $5.5 Million In Funding For Mobile Video Streaming". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  16. ^ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
  17. ^ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik
  18. ^ Kosur, James (March 20, 2014). "Qik Shutting Its Doors On April 30, Will Refund Paying Customers". Social News Daily.
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