Have You Caught The Wave?

: Image by marketingfacts via Flickr

The Web is all a-twitter about Google‘s latest product announcement: Google Wave. Maybe you know all about it already. Maybe you have heard the name but haven’t yet delved into the deep research. Maybe you have no idea what I am talking about.

Here is a quick primer. Google Wave is a real-time communications platform. It hasn’t been released yet, but should be here before the end of 2009. Taking the best of modern communications tools, Wave blends them into one interface. It includes elements of email, messaging, chat, social networking, project management and even wikis. It is all about bringing people together to collaborate, chat, discuss, disseminate, elocute, share, argue, ponder, et cetera.

Mashable provides an excellent summary of the new kid on the block here. When Google says “real time”, they really mean it. You will be able to see characters as your partner in conversation types them. Instant communication! The application can be embedded in pages, sites or blogs and will support other developer applications within the overarching “wave” application. Anything within the “wave” can be edited by anyone else, hence the wiki feature. The “wave” offers a playback feature, because that “real time” sure can be “real fast.” There are natural language elements to the “wave” – including auto-correct and translation. You can even drag and drop a file into the wave, without the need to formally “attach” it.

Hit the jump above to Mashable’s very comprehensive review, with screen shots, glossary, explanations of gadgets and robots, and links to more resources. Of, if you have about an hours-worth of time and are more of a visual learner, check out the video below. Google Wave is the future of conferencing and across-the-miles collaboration, as well as social communication over the wires. Undoubtedly the Wave should be considered a key professional tool when it comes available, which from the looks of matters will be none-too-soon. Hang Ten!