Screenhero is a desktop-sharing tool that lets users work together simultaneously with separate cursors. You can add up to three users and share either your entire screen or a specific window. The best part of this program is that users can participate online with their cursors, so they can work at the same time as you and ultimately save time. Update (Feb 6, 1:05PM PST): The Mac release + dev branches have been updated to v2.0.0.1 (fixes the 'can’t screen share’ bug too) — 'check for updates’ should now do the right thing, so you don’t need to re-download from the website anymore. Windows release/dev are still pending (our update process hit a snag).
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Teamwork is often stymied in an online environment, but Screenhero has created a way for colleagues to collaborate in real-time using integrated screen sharing tools. By being able to see what’s on each other’s screens, team members can present ideas, solve problems, and generally work together in the most effective way possible.
Download Screenhero for Mac or Windows, and then invite a collaborator to view what’s on your screen. Both you and your partner will have your own mouse cursors, and you can easily switch between driver and navigator as you work together toward accomplishing your goal. Screenhero’s voice chat feature allows you to speak to collaborators just like if you were in the same room, with 48kHz audio and echo cancellation. If something comes up and you’d like your privacy back, just pause your screen share temporarily by clicking the green icon. This stops the screen share, and it blocks your collaborator’s keyboard and mouse movements.
Screenhero says it establishes peer-to-peer connections about 92% of the time, with information going through its servers the remaining 8% of the time. The application requires at least 0.5Mbps of upload from the person sharing his or her screen. However, when those requirements are met, screen resolutions are incredibly clear and users truly feel like they’re working at the same desk.
Practical Uses:
- Ask a colleague to help solve a technical problem on your computer
- Code remotely with your friends
- Present project ideas to your team without emailing any files
- Draft a marketing pitch together with your team
Insider Tips:
- Click the Screenhero icon on the menu bar to mute your voice during a call
- Users must have at least 0.5Mbps of upload to share their screens at full resolution
- Communication over Screenhero is encrypted using a P2P TLS scheme
- An API is under development
What we liked:
- Programmers can work together when they use Screenhero
- Groups feel secure while working in Screenhero because communication is encrypted
- Team members can point to elements on your screen with their own mouses
- Screenhero works no matter what application a person is using
What we didn’t like:
- Users can currently only be logged in to one computer with an account
![Screenhero Download For Mac Screenhero Download For Mac](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134128417/667254514.jpg)
Alternatives:
Screenhero Download
- GoToMeeting – http://www.gotomeeting.com
- HipChat – https://www.hipchat.com
- join.me – https://www.join.me
- Surfly – http://www.surfly.com
Company Info:
- Launched: 2013
- Privately Held
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California
- Founded by: Jahanzeb Sherwani, Vishal Kapur, Jason DiCioccio and Faraz Khan
- Web site: http://screenhero.com
Costs:
- Basic plan is free
- Team plan is coming soon
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Screen sharing tools are great when you need to show someone else what’s happening on your own computer. You connect, do whatever you like, and your contact can follow every step.
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If the remote user wants to make use of the other computer, however, it’s often more difficult. There’s still only one mouse cursor, so you’ll need to negotiate who can use it at any one time -- not exactly convenient.
Screenhero takes screen sharing a step forward by giving each user their own mouse cursor. There’s no fighting for control, no waiting for one person to finish before it’s 'your turn', instead you both work on the system at the same time.
Setting this up is very straightforward. Create an account by providing your name, email address and a password, then enter the email address of whoever you want to contact. If they’re an existing Screenhero user, and online, they’ll be invited right away; if not, they’ll get an email explaining what’s happening, with a link to download the software.
Once the remote user is connected, a window opens showing their contact’s screen. They get their own mouse cursor (with their name underneath to avoid confusion), and can immediately begin to control the system. There’s even optional support for using system keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl-Tab on a Mac.
Built-in text and voice chat tools make it easy to discuss whatever it is you’re trying to do.
Connections are encrypted via an SSL-based peer-to-peer TLS scheme, ensuring your data stays private.
What you don’t get is the ability to transfer files from one system to the other. This is screen sharing only.
There’s also not quite enough control over how your system is shared. The 'two mouse cursor' idea is Screenhero’s big plus, but you might occasionally want to turn it off, so your contact can 'look, but not touch'. Unfortunately there’s no way to do this. Screen sharing may be paused with a click, but you can’t enable it and prevent the other user browsing your system.
Despite this, Screenhero is an excellent screen sharing tool for many purposes, fast, easy-to-use and reliable. It’s going to be a commercial product eventually, but is entirely free while in beta, so if you’re interested then go download a copy right now.