Beta Testing Begins for Google Wave

Google first showcased Wave in May 2009 creating an internet buzz that led to their Wave video on YouTube being viewed 4 million times.

Wave allows multiple users to collaborate on projects in real time, speeding up the the writing process by allowing users to add, quotes, videos, maps and and audio. Wave also has an in-built translation chat tool which allows two users who speak two different languages to chat to each other in real time with Wave translating instantly.

Images, video and text can be dragged from external applications and dropped straight into the shared 'Wave.'

Each 'Waver' can view the history of how each Wave has developed over time with a simple slider.

Using robots, Wave links easily with other applications such as Twitter and Picassa via their APIs.

The only drawback seems to be that Wave works in all browsers except Internet Explorer and currently is open by invitation only.