Microsoft prepares screen-sharing tool for consumers

(Credit: Microsoft Corporation)

Microsoft is hard at work on a new consumer-targeted screen-sharing and collaboration tool, code-named Tahiti. Microsoft's landing page describes it as an "easy way to share documents and screen views with small groups of friends or coworkers; anytime, anywhere."

Each group member is assigned a mouse pointer and an editing color when working the group works together on Office documents. There's also a feature called 'handouts,' which is a storage space for documents or files you want to share with the group. The tool has no integrated voice or chat features, but Microsoft will likely add Windows Live Messenger support to future builds.

This is a step in the right direction for Microsoft, although it's a little confusing as the company already has three separate group collaboration applications: Net Meeting, Windows Meeting Space, and Groove Virtual Office. (We'll admit that Groove, priced at $200, isn't exactly casual and consumer-friendly).

There's also some competition brewing in this space on the Web side of things, as we saw at the Under the Radar conference last week. Competitors like Yugma (previous coverage), offer nearly all these features (in some cases more), and have Mac support, too.

There's no news on how much Tahiti will cost, or when it will be released.

[via ZDNet]

[CameronMojo]

Codename Tahiti information

To anyone with interest in Tahiti:
Please keep an eye on http://codenametahiti.com in mid April for updates on the public beta. Also use the MS Discussion forum to send feedback and suggestions, here: http://forums.microsoft.com/codenametahiti/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1335&SiteID=53

Thanks
Cameron (Tahiti Lead Program Manager)

[batipi]

A key to online collaboration

Sounds like good news for consumers. Screen Sharing is a key component to creating collaborative working environments online. Look forward to testing this new tool.

David Corcoran
Web Conferencing Consultant
http://www.batipi.com

[effish]

We hope you'll take a look at Glance: http://www.glance.net. A very easy-to-use screen sharing service. Show a PC or Mac screen to up to 100 guests on any OS. Low flat-rate pricing and a free trial.

Thanks!
http://www.glance.net/site/whatis/uses/Screen_Sharing.asp

[Josh_Show_Document]

I want to suggest you try http://www.showdocument.com - its an alternative tool for glance that allows document sharing and web meeting in real-time. all the participants in the session see each others' drawing, highlights, etc. It is free and requires no installation.

Josh