Microsoft’s Garage projects are gaining a reputation, for better or for worse, around their continual iOS development. It seems as though it’s ready to add to that reputation with yet another iOS-first app. Microsoft’s most recent offering is called Invite, an app that makes it easy for individuals to organize meetings on the go.
Invite is designed to overcome the biggest obstacle when scheduling meetings—not being able to see the calendars of attendees outside your organization. As a result, your proposed meeting can be repeatedly declined until you find a time that works. Invite simplifies this by letting organizers suggest multiple times that work for them and attendees can pick from those suggestions. Invite also shows everyone what times other people have said are good for them.
The apps work well with individuals who have Office 365 business and or school subscriptions, but the app also works for people using regular ol’ Outlook.com, Gmail or Yahoo Mail. The app is said to be a relatively simple in and out process for setting up meetings, following the below steps should have individuals meeting management masters in no time.
1.You suggest times that work for you and then invite attendees.
You can use the app to invite anyone with an email address—even if they are outside your organization.
2.They select all the times they can attend.
Once you’ve invited your attendees, they receive an email or an app notification if they have Invite installed. Attendees can then choose on the times that work for them, from the app itself or from a browser. They can also see what options work best for other attendees.
3.Once everyone has responded, you pick the time that works best.
You choose a final date and time whenever you’re ready. Just pick the time that most people can make the meeting and tap Send Calendar Invites to get it on their calendars.
Currently, Invite is iPhone only and available in the U.S. and Canada. Microsoft does note that it’s schedule to come to Android and Windows Phone, soon. Once again, Microsoft reiterates that it is shipping Invite through The Garage with an intent to learn, almost like some sort of beta project.
For Windows Phones fans catching feelings about another Garage app targeting iOS, keep in mind, iOS beta testing makes more sense than on Windows Phone right now.