As Google Wave invites flow, users look to eBay

Google has opened the gates, and invites are now flowing around the web as users are accepted into the Wave 'preview'. Some users are so desperate to get their hands on an invite to this collaboration tool that they are willing to buy their way in.

Reports surfaced this morning that bidding had begun on an Wave invite even though they hadn't even begun being sent out yet. It's believed that the eBay auction reached more than $500 before being pulled, although at this stage it's unclear whether Google or eBay was responsible for the removal. Then, at 11am this morning, Stephanie Hannon, Google Wave's lead Product Manager, tweeted out an update that the emailing process had begun, saying "Wave invites starting... will take many many many many hours to get them all out". The preview of Google Wave has been extended to about 100,000 users. Since invites began flowing, more and more auctions have sprung up on eBay, with an invite now going for an average of $90. Not since the release of invites for Gmail back in its earlier days have we seen such a high price for an invite to a 'preview' product. Already Wave is coming under intense scrutiny as users debate whether the user interface is "too cluttered" or if it will actually ever replace email.