Skype 2.8 for Mac: Your Online Demo Is Calling

Rick Turoczy — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:27:36 -0800

Here at ReadWriteWeb, we're not usually in the "report it before you've tried it" camp, but a couple of trusted sources - Dan York and Rafe Needleman - are reporting that the latest version of Skype for Mac - Skype 2.8 - will include the ability to share your screen during a Skype call. And that's a feature that is sure to change the way many of us engage in Web-based demos.

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]]> Given that we're big Skype users around here and we see more than our fair share of Web-based demos, we're excited to see Skype finally offering the the ability to combine the two. No more setting up WebEx or LiveMeeting. Just share your screen via Skype during your next briefing call.

In addition to screen sharing, Skype 2.8 promises to offer a number of other features including improved chat and per-minute calling access via wifi hotspots like Boingo.

Granted, screen sharing has been available through Skype add-ons, but having the features core to the client - and easily accessible - will only help increase the use of Skype for these kinds of online conversations.

Perhaps more importantly for Skype, it's something which is sure to attract new users. At five years old, Skype is among the old guard of this generation of Web apps. This long-awaited screen sharing feature could help revitalize the product, encouraging a whole new crop of business users to add Skype to their cadre of online tools.

And when you couple these new features with Skype's latest hire, it leads one to wonder if 2009 could be a comeback year for the company.

The latest version isn't available for download yet, but it is slated to be released on Tuesday, January 6.

[Update] The download is now available.

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Yuuguu Combines Multi-Service IM Client and Screensharing

Frederic Lardinois — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:39:52 -0800

We've already highlighted Yuuguu, a free screensharing tool for Windows, Mac, and Linux, as one of our favorite tools numerous times in the past. One feature that was missing from Yuuguu, however, was the ability to quickly send invitations via IM and create a group conference on IM with users on different IM services. Now, however, Yuuguu has integrated MSN, Yahoo, AOL and ICQ chat, in addition to its recent integration with Google Talk. This turns Yuuguu into an IM aggregator with sophisticated screensharing features.

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]]> This new version of Yuuguu, which was released today, still features all the regular screensharing functions, including the ability to share your screen with up to 30 users at the same time and giving your users control over your screen. Yuuguu also features the ability to set up phone conferences on the fly.

We especially like Yuuguu because only the person actually sharing the screen has to install any software, while everybody else can just use a flash-based web interface to see your screen. Too many other free screensharing tools make both sides install software on their machines.

The IM functionality works just as advertised and is similar to most other multi-service IM clients. It is, however, not as fully featured as some other clients like Digsby, Trillian, or Adium. You can not send files to other users, for example.

Some Limitations

We noticed a few minor limitations to Yuuguu, though none of them are real deal breakers. If you have a dual-screen setup, for example, only your first screen can be shared on Yuuguu. Also, you can only add one IM account per service to Yuuguu. If you use more than one Google Talk account, you will have to choose which one to add to Yuuguu.

Overall however, the IM integration works very well and adds a new degree of functionality to a tool we already liked a lot. If you are looking for an easy to use screensharing tool, you could do a lot worse than giving Yuuguu a try.

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screensharing - ReadWriteWeb

Skype 2.8 for Mac: Your Online Demo Is Calling

Yuuguu Combines Multi-Service IM Client and Screensharing

Some Limitations