Yahoo Officially Outs Livetext, A Messaging App With Silent Videos

In New York today, Yahoo officially announced a new messaging app for iOS and Android called Livetext. While the app was quietly released in Hong Kong and Taiwan earlier this month for testing, this launch marks its debut in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK. At first glance, Livetext seems to be Yahoo's take on rebuilding its old Messenger service with the Tumblr and Snapchat generation in mind, as the app focuses on a mix text messages and videos with no sound, much like ever-present GIFs.

Messages are only shared on a one-on-one basis, so there's no group texting function. Users can send videos to one another, optionally adding text on top to include context.

Also, it wouldn't be a Snapchat competitor without disappearing messages, so Livetext does that too. Messages can be sent back and forth, with notifications when one person shares something new, but once a conversation is closed, the history and videos are erased.

While the app is clearly targeted at teens, the lack of sound could make Livetext a bit practical for other audiences. Silent videos mean conversations can be held in public without drawing attention or others eve dropping. Then again, it may just be good for students to play around with during class instead of paying attention.

Yahoo says Livetext is launching in the five previously mentioned countries tomorrow on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

SOURCE Yahoo