Microsoft is currently developing an “instant video social network” called Huddl. This has not been officially announced yet, and might not even release at all. It also currently requires a Microsoft employee account to sign in to the website, so there’s no way to see how it actually works yet.

The website boasts features like being able to “discover video conversation serendipitously”, instantly jumping between video calls, and connecting with people who share common interests. It seems like it might be similar to the web version of Skype, but with a focus on meeting and talking to people you don’t already know.

Interestingly, the site currently doesn’t work on Microsoft Edge, instead asking you to download Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. It’s possible that later on it might use some of the same technology that makes it possible to use Skype for Web on Microsoft Edge.

It appears that each “huddl” will be a group video chat where users can invite their friends. Inside of the page’s HTML, there are a couple of references to it.

<h1 class=”invite-message-title”>Invite someone to this Huddl</h1>

<h2 class=”invite-message-section-text”>Invite message:</h2>

<input class=”invite-message-section-textbar” type=”text” placeholder=”Body for your invitation…” ng-model=”body” />

<h2 class=”invite-participant-section-text”>Enter aliases to invite seperated by semicolons:</h2>

<input class=”invite-participant-section-textbar” type=”text” placeholder=”Type user name or alias…” ng-model=”invitees” /> <div class=”invite-section invite-buttons”>

<button class=”invite-button” ng-click=”sendInvites()”>Invite all</button>

<button class=”cancel-invite-button” ui-sref=”site.lobby.room”>Cancel</button>

According to even more HTML, the term “huddl” will be used as a verb, too.

<div class=”text”>No one is huddling. Why not start your own?</div> {{(person.userStatus == 2) ? ‘Huddling’ : ‘Available’}}

This is all pretty interesting, and we’re excited to find out more about Huddl – if we do – as the year goes on. It looks like it has the potential to be a very promising service if development continues.

What do you expect Huddl to be like? Let us know in the comments below!