WindUp is a messaging app released by Microsoft Research for Windows Phone users.

It brings to Windows Phone the Snapchat-like ability to create temporary messages that vanish after a set period or designated number of views.

This ability to create disappearing messages that get erased after a certain time is very popular right now, with a host of startups launching Android & iOS messaging apps that allow users to decide how long the message remains available.

Many, including WindUp, allow users to post temporary messages that include different kinds of media types. WindUp will not only let you share text, but also capture & share pictures, videos & audio snippets.

You can set a low time limit that will “wind up” your friends into rushing to see your message before it vanishes, or you can set a view limit that ensures everyone in your circle will get to take a look at it at least once & at their own convenience before it gets deleted.

The news that Microsoft Research itself has published a Snapchat clone on the Windows Phone Store raised a bit of a controversy. Many publications reported that Microsoft is trying to catch up with Snapchat & compete in the messaging sector by releasing this app.

But Richard Harper, who leads the Microsoft Research team working on WindUp, responded with a blog post explaining that offering the app on the Windows Phone Store was part of their research process to “to learn how people create, share & converse about content online.”

Harper explicitly mentions in the post that the application is being made available purely for research purposes & is not meant for commercial purposes or for competing with anyone else’s service.

Click here to download the WindUp messaging app on your Windows device.

Image Credit: WindUp

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