Yahoo has without any fanfare launched an app called Livetext, which involves text and video messaging without sound, describing it as “an entirely new way to stay in touch”.

The app was launched earlier this month, and is available only in the Hong Kong iTunes app store.

According to Livetext’s app description, “the advent of smartphones led a shift towards convenience and speed… But somewhere, along the way we lost the natural flow of conversation. Our solution is to go back to the basics, by putting your words and your friend’s real-time reactions at the center of your interaction. We’ve removed audio from the equation, as it’s rarely convenient in today’s fast-paced world.”

The app seems to be aimed at a young demographic, for example school children who can text and send pictures but not talk while in class.

A Yahoo spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company is “experimenting with new product experiences that delight our users” adding that “we have nothing further to share at this time.”

Yahoo has been working on a new mobile messaging app for some years now and last year acquired MessageMe, while co-founder Pradeep Elankumaran of photo sharing app Kicksend also joined the company.

The reason for the quiet release is probably because the company is in testing mode and does not plan on rolling out the product globally just yet.