• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, July 7, 2015

There are few things as annoying as getting caught up in a group conversation conducted via text message (or email), where everyone is responding to the message sent three or four texts ago, resulting in a repetitive, disjointed, and contradictory morass. That’s ten times as true if you are, god forbid, trying to make plans to do something together.

However, Microsoft is here to help with a new app called Tossup, which enables users to conduct social polls of their friends and coworkers to streamline the decision-making process. A user can simply pose a question to the group, including suggested choices if desired (for example places to eat), and other users then vote on it, suggest a venue, choose a time, and RSVP, among other functions. Tossup is compatible with Facebook and Yelp on mobile and also has a group chat function, should you be inclined to torture yourself in that fashion.

Of course it’s not just about dinner plans: you can also pose whimsical questions or make more self-centered queries, e.g. “Guys, do these pants make me look fat?” The app was created under the aegis of Microsoft Garage, which encourages employees to pursue promising side projects.

There are already a number of other players in the crowded social polling field including Straw, which just unveiled a major update to its own app, including a revamped graphic interface, easier management of results, and zoom functions for photos included in questions. Then there’s also Loop, Polar Rudder, Thumb, Cinch, MicroPoll, and Whatsay, among others. Maybe we need to have a poll about which social polling app is the best.