SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo unveiled a new which in some ways is a modern update of its Messenger service as users can initiate audio-free video conversations with peers, and talk by texting during the live-streamed chat.
And the biggest benefit perhaps is that the entire conversation disappears once the session is over.
Called Livetext, it transmits video between users then overlays their typed text messages on the video. The big differentiator is that no sound is transmitted. While silent video seems counterintuitive, the Sunnyvale, California Internet giant says it’s great is for reactions, show and tell, and situations when talking wouldn’t be acceptable.
Mobile users are flocking to amped-up messaging services like Snapchat, Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. The options are myriad and Yahoo! is jumping into the fray with an innovation of its own: Streaming video plus chat, but no audio at all. It’s typing, reading and watching, all silently.
