Top 10: Interactive presentation software

2018. Salesforce unveiled Microsoft PowerPoint competitor



Microsoft's PowerPoint is facing a new competitor in the form of Salesforce. Salesforce's Quip business, which already provides tools for word processing and spreadsheet collaboration, has introduced a new offering called Quip Slides. Salesforce acquired Quip in 2016. Many of the features found in Quip Slides will be familiar to users of Office 365 or G Suite, as they allow for collaborative creation and editing of presentations with features like chat, commenting, and question capabilities. However, Quip Slides sets itself apart by leveraging its connection to Salesforce, enabling direct integration of Salesforce data into presentations. This integration ensures that the data displayed in the presentation updates automatically as the underlying data changes. Additionally, Quip Slides facilitates interactive presentations where viewers can ask questions online. The pricing for Quip Slides starts at $10 per user per month, with an Enterprise license available for $25 per user per month.


2018. Zoho Meeting adds moderator controls



Zoho Meeting has introduced Moderator Controls to its online meetings software. With this new feature, presenters can lock meetings to minimize interruptions during important discussions. Once a meeting is locked, no additional participants can join. Furthermore, the Switch presenter feature allows anyone to share their screen and effectively demonstrate their point. Through screen sharing, participants have the ability to share various types of content such as documents, presentations, spreadsheets, or any other application. To maintain a focused session, background noise can be eliminated by muting individuals or all participants. In the event that someone unintentionally joins or is no longer relevant to the topic, they can be promptly removed, allowing the discussion to proceed smoothly.

2018. Zoho Show adds contextual interface and broadcasts



Zoho has introduced the all-new version of Zoho Show featuring a contextual interface designed to prioritize users' ideas and provide a seamless formatting experience that adapts to their actions. The aim is to eliminate the need for users to search for the right tools, ensuring that their creative vision takes center stage. Zoho Show offers a comprehensive set of tools to bring ideas to life in alignment with users' imaginations. It includes features such as custom text boxes, silhouettes, image filters, pre-defined layouts for charts and tables, a wide range of animation options for each slide element, and more. The robust commenting system within Show enables seamless collaboration, brainstorming, and suggestions for enhancing slide elements. Users can add rich text comments to emphasize key points or attach images when words fall short. Additionally, Show allows users to broadcast slides to remote audiences or utilize the Presenter View for in-person sessions, enabling them to deliver impactful presentations from anywhere.


2016. Google Slides adds Q&A feature to help presenters connect with their audiences


Google has introduced a new functionality for its presentation service Slides, enabling presenters to receive questions and feedback from their audience. Additionally, audience members can vote for their preferred questions. Presenters can initiate a Q&A session by clicking a button in the Slides presenter view. On mobile devices, this feature will be accessible through the "audience tools" button. Subsequently, a link to the customized Q&A for the specific presentation will appear above the slides. This feature enhances the efficiency of post-presentation Q&A sessions, particularly at events where it can be assumed that the audience has smartphones or laptops at their disposal. This is especially valuable for individuals who prefer not to approach a microphone and ask questions in front of a large audience (as those who do might be excessively enthusiastic about being in the spotlight).


2015. Presentations tool Swipe launches Pro version



Swipe, the web-based alternative to PowerPoint, renowned for its audience analytics, real-time polls, and live syncing capabilities, has introduced a new Pro plan targeting businesses and marketers. This monetization shift brings forth additional features, such as integration with third-party analytics platforms (starting with Google Analytics), the ability to generate unlimited "secret links" for individualized performance tracking, and the option to password protect presentations. While Swipe intends to maintain its core product as a free offering, ensuring accessibility for various user groups like professors, teachers, designers, churches, non-profits, artists, and students, the introduction of the paid Pro plan positions it in direct competition with well-funded ClearSide, which focuses on sales teams, and to a lesser extent Box.


2014. Online presentations service Prezi secures $57M



Prezi, a cloud-based presentation platform, recently secured a significant growth investment of $57 million. In recent years, Prezi has steadily gained momentum, posing a challenge to Microsoft's dominant Powerpoint market share. One of Prezi's standout features is its cloud-based infrastructure, enabling users to deliver presentations from a variety of devices, including browsers, desktops, iPads, and iPhones, while always having access to the most up-to-date version of their work. What sets Prezi apart from traditional presentation software is its emphasis on visual storytelling rather than relying on conventional bullet-point lists. By incorporating images and encouraging creators to weave a compelling narrative, Prezi enhances audience engagement and retention of information. Boasting a user base of 50 million, Prezi has emerged as a popular choice for businesses aiming to persuade clients, attract customers, and facilitate internal training. Esteemed companies like Salesforce, Lufthansa, Marriott, and IBM have already embraced Prezi and become enthusiasts of its innovative approach.