Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Google Adds Spreadsheets
Google wants access to the data stored on documents of every flavor, so the company is releasing office applications (Writely was the first) that can be used to share docs online. Business users aren't about to post their information on Google's servers, but for consumers who don't want to fork over the big bucks for Microsoft Office, it is an attractive option.
The application enables you to specify who can see your work, and includes a chat feature so that you can collaborate while you work. You can also save files locally if you don't care to have Google storing your docs.
Although it won't happen, a funny payback would be to have its spreadsheets only work with Firefox or Apple's Safari browser, and not IE.
Since MS Office is 27 percent of Microsoft's revenue, you can expect the company to respond in kind (Hello, is this the legal department?). You don't get into Bill's kitchen without expecting a payback.
Google's efforts are disconcerting to most of the software industry, which will have a difficult time transferring to the ad-based model. This will probably do more to prompt Microsoft into action than it will for Google's bottom line.
Found via the Mercury News.
Posted By John Gartner at 08:23 PM
Permanent Link: Google Adds Spreadsheets
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