14 DAY TRIAL // Sharing photos on Facebook is so yesterday thanks to a new application released by Microsoft that makes the whole process faster and easier for those who own a Windows Phone, Android, or iOS device.
The new app is called Xim and is a project put together by Microsoft Research, Redmond’s special unit responsible for coming up with lots of innovations and better ways to do our daily tasks.
Xim changes the way you share photos by making it possible to quickly send a specific picture to one of your contacts, thus making it possible for them to see the file on their device and not on yours.
That’s actually the purpose of the app, Microsoft says, because you do not have to “overshare” and show others photos on your phone.
How it works
Basically, Xim allows you to browse the photo gallery on your phone, but also access pictures from different sources, such as OneDrive, Instagram, or even Facebook. Once you select the photos you want to share, you are asked to pick the people that shall receive them.
There are several options available in this regard, so you can select friends by typing in their name, email, or phone number. Each selected contact then receives a link to access the photo, and Microsoft claims that this page is automatically removed after a specific time to make sure that your privacy is protected.
Interestingly, once photos are shared, the screens of devices accessing them are automatically synchronized, so you can swipe, pan, and zoom not only on your phone, but on all of them.
Here’s what the description of the app reveals:
“Perfect for moments like dinner with friends, Microsoft Xim is simply a better way to share because you don’t have to pass your phone around to people. When you xim, the photos will appear synchronously on everyone’s devices even if they don’t have the app. And, Xims expire after a little while so you’re not burdened with storage or management overhead.”
“With Xim you’ll never have to worry again about mistakenly ‘oversharing’ – be it a personal photo, or that little cold you’re getting over. Your friends can enjoy photos from the comfort of their own seat and screen rather than waiting turns or huddling around one phone.”
The application is not yet available, but Microsoft has promised to release it very soon, most likely later today, with download links to be provided in the Windows Phone Store, Google Play, and App Store for iOS devices. Of course, Xim will be available with a freeware license.
