After nearly five million downloads of its Windows PC client, CrossLoop brings its screen-sharing app and growing pro-am computer support community to the Mac (download here, for Intel Macs running OS X 10.4 or higher). CrossLoop is a peer-to-peer screen sharing app that lets a remote IT specialist or a friend take over your computer to fix a problem or give you a tutorial.
Since its launch in November, 2006, more than 100 million minutes worth of sessions have been shared through the service, with shared minutes growing at a 210 percent annual rate. It took CrossLoop 132 days to reach its first one million minutes of shared screen time. Now, its members are sharing one million minutes every four days. The vast majority of the help sessions on CrossLoop are done for free, but 14,414 semi-professional “helpers” charge for their services, collecting about $55 to $60 per session. For instance, for $50 you can get help switching from a PC to a Mac. CrossLoop takes a 15 percent cut of all the paid sessions for hosting a directory of helpers, providing the software, keeping track of session lengths, and handling the payments.
Peer-to-peer product support will grow in popularity over time (see Fixya). If consumers can find someone on CrossLoop who can fix their computer faster and cheaper than someone at the local computer repair shop, it is a no-brainer. Of course, if the computer is completely dead or you can’t get on the Internet, CrossLoop won’t do you any good. But there are plenty of other times when you just need a little guidance from your family’s designated tech support expert, or are even willing to pay someone who actually knows what they are doing.
very interesting service the website cross loop is providing. I had not heard of it before. I personally don’t use a MAC but it will be helpful for those who do.
Crossloop is AMAZING. I’ve been using it for over a year and install it on all family and friend’s computers.
As a usability guy, they’ve done a great job creating an app that is dead simple to use for the average person who just wants a little help.
Their reputation/trust system is flawed as long as I own the “Administrator” account.
Great news!
CrossLoop was one of my favorite PC remote repair systems, very excited to see them on OS X. My favorite thing about CrossLoop: Easy to install *and use* for people that aren’t good with computers (these are the people you are usually helping with a program like this). They really nailed it with a dead simple UI and easy setup.
Thanks Drew – your comment means a lot to us as a small startup!
Nice update…never heard of CrossLoop before. Great concept allowing the user to have the option of a free service as well as a “professional” option. Might have to take a closer look…
How is it any different from logmein.com which has been around for years.
And such PC sharing P2P apps have been around for many many years.
David, logmein.com is for unattended access whereas with CrossLoop the person giving you help can only access your PC when you are in front of it and give them permission that time.
You can watch them as they fix your problem and know they won’t be able to get back again in unless you ask them again.
Hi Erick,
Would you consider checking out Mikogo? This is a cross-platform desktop sharing tool for remote support, but also allows you to share your screen with up to 10 participants. This also makes it great for web conferencing. And it’s free. Drop by the website http://www.mikogo.com and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Andrew Donnelly
The Mikogo Team
How about P2P screen sharing _without_ any install? http://almostmeet.com is purely browser based.
Long time back I tried webhuddle, which is free and simple.
I have a client who wants to limit the use of crossloops’s ability to access certain folders – I’m sure its porn or something..
Is there a way to do this?
Hi – Mrinal from CrossLoop.
Today, you can only do a ‘View Only’ option or its full control
Not directly, but you can run CrossLoop in “view only” mode. In that mode the helper can only watch what the customer is doing, but can not control the mouse or keyboard. Thus there is no way the helper can browse any folder the customer doesn’t want him/her to see. This works best of course if you’re using it with a phone connection or VoIP like Skype, where you can then give instructions to the customer on where to click and what to type.
Hi – I am from CrossLoop.
Today, you can share desktops with a ‘View Only’ mode or its ‘Full control’
Hello,
Will you have a port to Linux, as well ?
Regards, endre