A new Microsoft download page indicates the software maker is working on a new app for the iPhone that looks to be a cross between an email app and an instant messaging app. The app, “Flow by Outlook,” was first spotted by @h0x0d (via ZDNet).
Use Flow with anyone, it’s email: Reach anyone with an email address and all conversations for you and others are also in Outlook. Together, you can use Flow and Outlook interchangeably to participate in the same conversations.
Fast, fluid, natural conversations: No subject lines, salutations, or signatures. Flow is designed for fast, light-weight conversations in real time.
Focus on what’s important: Only conversations started in Flow and their replies show up in Flow, not your whole inbox. Focus on your most important person-to-person conversations without the noise.
While the descriptive page is accessible by anyone, the actual download link requires a login to access.
The ZDNet report suggests the app could be similar to Skype Qik, a lightweight alternative to the full Skype app. All that is required to communicate via Qik is a mobile phone number. A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment to ZDNet about the app.
Microsoft currently makes Outlook available to iOS users via the Outlook mail client app based on Acompli for iOS, which Microsoft acquired in December 2014.
(Via 9to5Mac)
