Skype Qik

For the airline application, see QIK.

**Skype Qik** is a video messaging service by Skype. It was created from the technology Skype Technologies acquired through the purchase of *Qik*. The service, offered for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices, allows users to exchange video messages between individuals or within a group.

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. 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.

Qik was compatible with approximately 140+ cell phones. Qik videos can be shared on numerous services including Ovi Share, Facebook via Facebook Connect, Twitter, LiveStream, 12seconds.tv, 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.

## History

Qik was founded by Ramu Sunkara, Bhaskar Roy and Nikolay Abkairov in 2007.

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

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

In January 2011, Skype acquired Qik for $150 million.

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.

## References

1. ↑ Olivarez-Giles, Nathan (October 14, 2014). "Skype Relaunches Qik as Social Video Messaging App". *Wall Street Journal*. http://blogs.wsj.com/personal-technology/2014/10/14/skype-relaunches-qik-as-social-video-messaging-app/. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
2. ↑ Kincaid, Jason (July 20, 2008). "Start Streaming: Qik Opens To The Public". *The Washington Post*. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/21/AR2008072100025.html. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
3. ↑ Nicholas, Deleon (April 28, 2009). "Qik goes into public Beta". techcrunch.com. http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/qik-goes-into-public-beta/. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
4. ↑ Official Qik website (April 27, 2009). "Supported Phones for Qik". qik.com. http://www.qik.com/info/supported\_phones. Retrieved April 27, 2009.  Template:Fix
5. ↑ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
6. ↑ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik
7. ↑ Liz Gannes (April 27, 2009). "Qik confirms funding, Shares plans". newteevee.com. http://newteevee.com/2008/04/09/qik-confirms-funding-shares-plans/. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
8. ↑ Dawn Kawamoto (April 27, 2009). "Qik attracts Andreessen-Horowitz investment". cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023\_3-10025845-93.html. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
9. ↑ Kee, Tameka (July 8, 2009). "Qik Nabs $5.5 Million In Funding For Mobile Video Streaming". *The Washington Post*. http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-07-08/news/36884691\_1\_ovi-store-content-apps-mobile-video. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
10. ↑ Confirmed: Skype Buys Mobile Video Startup Qik
11. ↑ Skype announces plans to acquire Qik

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