<p>Korean mobile messaging app Kakao Talk is going a bit retro with the recent launch of a beta test for a PC version, which will link with the company's chat service but lack some of its extra features.</p><p>The company says it received over 210,000 applicants for its beta test last week, eventually whittling the group down to 10,000. Testers downloaded the software earlier this week and will receive prizes for actively reporting bugs and feedback. Company representatives said the response has been "pretty positive" so far.</p><p>Kakao Talk is starting out on PC with a stripped-down version of its messaging client. The software will focus primarily on the service's chatting features and will initially lack some of its distinctive gaming and gifts integrations, which have helped the company ramp up its monetization efforts. If all goes according to plan, the public release of Kakao Talk's PC client should arrive this summer.</p><p>The company's mobile apps are currently available on the App Store, Google Play, Samsung Apps, BlackBerry World and the Windows Phone Store.</p><p><a href="http://thenextweb.com/asia/2013/03/29/kakao-talk-preparing-to-bring-its-mobile-messaging-app-to-pcs/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323466204578382733261211950.html">The Messaging Apps Taking on Facebook, Phone Giants</a> (Wall Street Journal)</p><p><a href="http://www.complex.com/tech/2013/03/these-messaging-apps-spell-trouble-for-apple-and-facebook">These Messaging Apps Spell Trouble for Apple and Facebook</a> (Complex.com)</p><p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/sethporges/2013/03/28/mobile-carrier-are-worried-about-free-messaging-apps-good/">Mobile Carriers Are Worried About Free Messaging Apps? Good.</a> (Forbes)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dYtbAxd8kH3JixMLUaxB5IgsHC-kM&ned=us">4 additional articles.</a></p>