Microsoft appears to be working on a new instant messaging app for the iPhone, acting as a kind of cross between email and instant messaging, known as Flow by Outlook. The download page, which describes the project as ‘Microsoft Confidential,’ 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 webpage describing the app is unprotected, the actual download link requires a login…

ZDNet suggests that the app could be a similar concept to Skype Qik, which aims to be a lightweight alternative to the full Skype app. A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on the app.

Microsoft first made Outlook available to iOS users in 2013, with the Outlook Web App, before revamping it with a new mail client based on Acompli for iOS – a company Microsoft acquired in December of last year.

Photo: arquitectonica.com

well Microsoft, if it really confidential, don't put it on publicly accessible Internet, LOL. pic.twitter.com/BX0Bw0SpKw — WalkingCat (@h0x0d) May 19, 2015

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: