Microsoft Vine Beta Is Live

Microsoft has spoken about a new  project called Vine that was in private Beta and I can now confirm that the private beta has been opened up a bit (since I received my download copy:)). What is Vine?

The Microsoft Vine Beta connects you to the people and places you care about most, when it matters. Stay in touch with family and friends, be informed when someone needs help. Get involved to create great communities. Use alerts, reports and your personal dashboard to stay in touch, informed and involved.

The download email sounds a little less ominous and a bit more ‘social networky’:

Ever need to find a last-minute babysitter or share big news with the family? With Microsoft Vine, connecting with a group of people is as simple as sending a single text. Just download the beta from your computer, and then organize people into groups, like emergency contacts, family members, or even your softball teammates. Vine lets you reach all the members of a group – fast – with just a text or e-mail alert.

I can also confirm that when you sign up to download Vine it’s a PC installer that sits in your system tray. There doesn’t appear to be a mobile client except for the fact that you can email or text to send/receive a Vine alert. I was expecting a mobile app considering that I was provided with the download info from Windows Mobile Team Access.

For more information or to sign up for the beta check out Vine’s website. I presume that beta downloads are now going out on a regular basis.