Copresent

Copresent is a tool designed to enhance the presentation experience by turning a user's smartphone into a remote control for Google Slides. It offers a seamless way to navigate through presentations, view speaker notes directly on the phone screen, and facilitates collaborative presenting. The primary purpose is to provide a more intuitive and flexible control mechanism for Google Slides, both for individual presenters and for teams. The problem Copresent addresses stems from the limitations of traditional presentation controls and the often cumbersome nature of sharing control in collaborative settings. For individual presenters, fumbling with a trackpad or needing a physical remote can be distracting. In a co-presenting scenario, especially with free Google Workspace accounts, handing off control can involve awkward screen-sharing requests or a lack of integrated functionality. This friction disrupts the flow of a presentation and can detract from the audience's experience. One of the core features of Copresent is its ability to function as a solo remote. Users can open a link on their phone, which then acts as a remote control for their Google Slides presentation. This allows for easy advancement of slides with a simple swipe gesture. Crucially, speaker notes are also displayed on the phone's screen, ensuring presenters have all the information they need at their fingertips without needing to look at the main presentation screen. For collaborative presentations, Copresent introduces a 'Together' mode. A single shareable link allows up to 10 participants to control the same live deck simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for panel discussions, interviews, or team presentations where multiple individuals need to advance slides. The system supports one-tap handoffs, enabling a smooth transition of control from one presenter to another mid-talk. A significant aspect of Copresent's design is its accessibility for guests. To minimize friction, co-presenters and audience members do not need to download an app or create an account. They simply access the presentation via a shared link from any device, making it incredibly easy for anyone to join and participate in controlling the slides. The product operates by leveraging web technologies, allowing for cross-device compatibility without requiring native applications for guests. The host controls the primary presentation, and Copresent facilitates the synchronized control and note-sharing across multiple connected devices. The system ensures that notes remain in sync, even if the presenter navigates slides out of order, and updates are reflected immediately for all co-presenters. The benefits for users include a more fluid and professional presentation delivery, reduced technical hurdles for both presenters and collaborators, and enhanced engagement through seamless co-presenting capabilities. The ability to have notes on a personal device while controlling the main presentation also contributes to a more confident and prepared presenter. Concrete use cases for Copresent include educators using it to manage lectures where multiple students might contribute, business professionals conducting team presentations or client pitches where slide control needs to be shared, and event organizers managing panel discussions where speakers need to advance slides independently. It's also ideal for workshops and training sessions that involve interactive elements. Copresent is currently free to use for its core functionalities. The maker has indicated plans for a Pro plan that will offer additional features and support, while the main remote clicker and co-presenting capabilities will remain free. The product is primarily a web-based application, accessible via a Chrome Extension, and is focused on Google Slides, with future plans to support PowerPoint online and potentially Figma Slides. In summary, Copresent offers a streamlined and accessible solution for controlling Google Slides presentations, empowering both individual presenters with on-screen notes and remote control, and collaborative teams with effortless co-presenting capabilities without requiring any downloads or sign-ups for guests.