Grouper Unveils New Features to Help Connect Common Interests

Grouper Unveils New Features to Help Connect Common Interests

Aimed at bloggers and Internet broadcasters, Grouper's new features enable group desktop search and expand the relationships between enthusiasts and their audiences

New Partnerships also fuel connections

MILL VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Grouper Networks, creators of the Grouper(TM) application, the leading private personal file sharing network, today announced that it has released new features to its Beta software that enable people with similar interests to connect to one another. New features include the ability for anyone with a Web page to invite site visitors to join the site owner's private group in Grouper, allowing for a richer, more interactive relationship. In addition, Grouper has added an improved search tool that enables desktop group search, leapfrogging current search technology. Also, Grouper now gives you the opportunity to announce new shared files in Grouper. These new features enhance the Grouper experience and enable likeminded people to connect and share multimedia files in a safe and simple application.

The company also announced today new partnerships with Live365, the world's largest Internet radio network and HOT or NOT(TM), a leading Internet matchmaking site. Grouper and Live365 have partnered to allow broadcasters to form private groups to connect more deeply with their listeners. The agreement with HOT or NOT enables potential couples become more acquainted with each other within Grouper.

"Grouper has always been about creating an easy way to connect people and their media," said Josh Felser, CEO, Grouper Networks. "Now we have taken Grouper to the next level -- we are enabling people who are already sharing media via the Internet to connect in a more meaningful way. We believe these types of connections provide users with richer, more entertaining experiences."

Going Beyond the Text

According to the PEW Internet & American Life Project, more than 8 million Americans have created blogs in the past year and more than 27% of Internet users turn to blogs for information. In the most recent version of the Grouper Beta software, the company has added the "Open Invite" feature, which brings bloggers and their readers together in an interactive, rich media environment at no cost. Grouper enables bloggers, Internet broadcasters and their audiences to go beyond the text and share more information -- regardless of file type. Blog or broadcast audiences can request to join the individual's private group in Grouper to view videos or files, avoiding hosting or server costs associated with supporting large files. Grouper is the first private file-sharing network to create a more personal and efficient medium for bloggers and broadcasters to connect with their audience. A blogger or broadcaster simply offers a link on their web site inviting audience members to request membership to a private group within Grouper. The blogger or broadcaster can accept or reject the request. Members will be added at the discretion of the leader and will be based on what value the member adds to the group. Once a member has joined the group, he or she can share media files -- photos, videos, music, documents and or links related to the blog subject or station genre. Web sites about sensitive subjects such as medical conditions or subjects that people are uncomfortable discussing in a public forum will benefit from the safe and private environment within Grouper. The Open Invite feature is free and turns each member's PC into a server or broadcaster. There are no central storage, upload or bandwidth fees.

Discover New Media with Improved Desktop Search

Grouper is leapfrogging current search technology with its enhanced desktop search function. While Grouper has always provided groups with search functionality, the enhanced desktop search function enables group members to discover new content from other members' desktops. Only the files that a member has designated as "shared" in the group are searchable. This feature is another path within Grouper to discover new music interests, images or video clips.

Share and Tell

Also added to the latest version of Grouper is the "Share and Tell" feature to notify your friends and family when new files are shared. When you share new files in a group, now you can simply click on a button and Grouper automatically sends an email on your behalf notifying an entire group or individual members of the new files.

Partnerships Fuel Connections

For the first time, Grouper's Open Invite feature gives enthusiasts and their audiences the exciting opportunity to connect in a safe, more intimate online environment. Live365, the largest Internet radio network and Grouper have signed an agreement to integrate Grouper's Open Invite feature into Live365's web site and broadcaster setup pages. Grouper will enable any Live365 broadcaster or listener to share their station(s) with Grouper members. Broadcasters will leverage Grouper's network to grow their audiences. Additionally, listeners can now share their favorite stations with their friends with just one click in the Grouper application. The companies expect the deal to be available in February. Live365 has thousands of stations and more than 2.6 million listeners a month.

Grouper and HOT or NOT have teamed up to offer HOT or NOT users the chance to learn more about potential companions. This is the first time a dating service has teamed up with a private file sharing network to create a more meaningful way for people to connect online. With file sharing, video clip and home movie downloading, instant messaging and music streaming capabilities, Grouper is already connecting the masses to their friends and their friends' media.

About Grouper

Grouper is a beta application created by Grouper Networks. Grouper enables legal, personal media sharing and communications in private networks of friends, colleagues and family. A downloadable application, Grouper, makes it easy and fun for people who know each other to form private groups and stream music, exchange photos, video clips and documents. Grouper leverages proprietary peer-to-peer technology and 256-bit encryption to allow private groups to connect directly and securely. Grouper Networks is based in Mill Valley, CA. For more information visit www.grouper.com


Source: Grouper Networks

CONTACT: Elizabeth (Robinson) Scheuring of Grouper Networks,
+1-415-519-1744 or elizabeth@grouper.com

Web site: http://www.grouper.com/


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