Microsoft has released a new app, Microsoft Xim, that combines a couple different features for users to enjoy photos as a group experience. Similar to features found on some Android platforms, one person can share a photo on their device to the screen of other users in a group in real time. The benefit of this is that users do not have to try to huddle around a single screen to look at a photo. Microsoft built the app so that only the person sharing an image needs Xim while all others can view the image using a browser. When done with a session, Xim pulls a Snapchat type move and deletes the image after a short period so no storage is consumed.
The Xim app can pull photos from a variety of sources like a device's gallery, Instagram, Facebook, Dropbox, or OneDrive. If more people install the Xim app, they can add photos to the stream similar to how multiple users can add sources to a YouTube queue on Chromecast devices. Users can invite contacts from their contact list, using an email address or even a phone number.
Once done with a session, any photos in a Xim stream will be removed. However, and Microsoft points this out in their app description, users can download the photos from a Xim session or take a screenshot in case they was to save something.
Even though the app is not marked as beta, Microsoft does indicate functionality may be limited to certain web browsers while they continue development. Versions for Android, iOS and Windows Phone have been released. You can grab Xim using one of the Play Store links below. If the app gains any traction in the market, be ready to start seeing the term Ximmers show up.
Google Play Download Link
