Google just released an online presentation app to go along with its Docs and Spreadsheets applications. I just began to play with it, but so far I am quite impressed with the interface. The app can import from PowerPoint documents that are uploaded to the system which is very cool. It also comes with many different design templates and layouts which look very professional. Working with text and other media objects on the slides seems very easy. As with Docs and Spreadsheets, collaboration is allowed which makes it possible for multiple people to work on a presentation which is great and much easier to do in this environment rather than working with just one file and trying to merge the changes.
I see this app having great potential when used in conjunction with an app like SKYPE or Google Talk because it would allow meetings to take place online without the need for expensive specialized services. The presenter can start a show and then give people the url of the
presentation. From there, users can login with their Google accounts and watch the presentation that is controlled by the presenter. There is even a chat feature built into the presentation window so that people can give you feedback even if you choose.
The only con that I see to this system so far is that there currently is no way to save a presentation file out of the app yet, so once it is in the presentation app, you are pretty much stuck to staying with it this way.
I hope that in the future export options are made available and I also hope that this can somehow integrate with Google Talk to make this a really great online presentation system.
Check it out at www.docs.google.com
The system does require you to signup for a free Google Account which I recommend everyone do because Google has many great services that everyone should take a look at.
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