US : Qik announced its support of Windows Mobile phones. Qik is now available on the Motorola Q and Samsung BlackJack as well as the Nokia N-Series phones. The Qik service is now in limited availability through an invitation only alpha program.

With Qik’s free live video streaming service, users can stream live video to the Internet in just two clicks from their mobile phone, and join others as they watch online and engage in live interactive chat. Everyone from journalists to politicians use Qik to be transparent in their reporting and campaigning on a global Web platform. Parents are using Qik to effortlessly share family experiences that are occurring in the moment. With a simple to use interface and site, any user is able to stream what they are seeing and interact with the world.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Microsoft and extending Qik’s live streaming service to Windows Mobile phones,” said Ramu Sunkara, co-founder and CEO of Qik. “We are also excited to partner with the Windows Mobile team to optimize Qik for the Windows Mobile platform.”

Microsoft expects to sell 20 million Windows Mobile licenses in FY08, with phones available in 55 countries. This partnership helps both companies extend their global footprint and capture the growing market of video sharing and participating enthusiasts.

“Qik is at the forefront of how video from mobile devices should be shared and integrated into our social lives,” said Scott Rockfeld, group product manager at Microsoft Corp. “As people increasingly expect high quality, streaming video on mobile, Microsoft is committed to working with our partners to deliver the best video experience on Windows Mobile phones.”

Currently in alpha, Motorola Q and Samsung BlackJack users can request an invitation for the service by signing up at http://qik.com/. The company is working closely with the Windows Mobile team to get the product offering into beta in the coming months, as well as expanding to additional Windows Mobile phones.

Qik CEO Sunkara concluded: “We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Microsoft. In the meantime, Qik continues to provide a service that helps keep friends and families stay connected, features breaking news from professional media and citizen journalists, and fosters a totally new kind of communication.”

Qik, in addition to being the live mobile to web video service of choice for bloggers like TechCrunch editor Michael Arrington, FastCompany.tv's Robert Scoble and CNET's Daniel Terdiman, is also delivering exciting footage shot by a wide selection of users across entertainment, business, sports, and technology. Recent Qik videos of note have included Hollywood trade magazine Variety's live coverage of Cannes (including appearances and interviews with Michael Moore, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen and other notables); the Mars landing recorded live from mission control by US Congressman John Culberson; the Monte Carlo Grand Prix shot live from the VIP area; Steve Jobs' keynote at Macworld; the opening of the World Economic Forum (featuring the King of Jordan, President Bush, and President Mubarak) live from Egypt, and Radiohead live from Austin.