It looks like Microsoft has a new email app up its sleeve.
The team behind Outlook is working on an instant messaging-like email app for iPhone called Flow, according to a description of the app, which surfaced on Twitter.
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Flow, which was first spotted by Twitter user h0x0d, is currently being tested internally at Microsoft, according to a leaked description from a download page. Interchangeable with Outlook, the app is "a great way to have rapid email conversations on your phone with the people who are most important to you," according to the description.
well Microsoft, if it really confidential, don't put it on publicly accessible Internet, LOL. pic.twitter.com/BX0Bw0SpKw— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) May 19, 2015
The description also emphasizes how lightweight the chat-like app is, noting that Flow avoids features people typically associate with email, including subject lines, signatures and greetings:
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.
As others have pointed out, Flow sounds a lot like Skype spinoff Qik, which Microsoft launched last fall. The company positioned Qik as a complementary app to Skype, ideal for seamless group messaging.
Other details about Flow are so far unclear. The leaked description suggests that it is an iPhone app, although it's possible Microsoft is also working on Android and Windows Phone counterparts. When reached for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson told Mashable, "We have nothing to share on Flow."