Archive for April, 2010

Google Inc, the search giant has recently updated its Google Docs using a new javascript layout engine and HTML5 to enhance and speed up the document, drawing and spreadsheet editors in the application. Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service that will compete with Microsoft Office or IBM Lotus applications. The search giant said that it is temporarily removing its Google Gears offline support for Docs beginning May 3; however, Google claims that it will not affect the performance of the app. Meanwhile, the company will improve the offline functionality through HTML5-based Web browser technologies. It is predicted that the company is pitching today’s office workers, who generally uses MS Office suite. Docs’ documents load faster and offer auto-complete, drag and drop columns, and easier navigation for quick working. The company will also launch drawings editor along with new changes.

Microsoft Office 2010

Earlier this week, the software giant has released the Office 2010′s RTM and will launch the suite to business customers at an event on 12 May. Rest of the world can have the new suite in the month of June. To counter the challenge from Google Docs, Microsoft has included Web-based versions of its most commonly used applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for the first time. It will be available in 64-bit version, however only for Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating system. Office 2010 is not supported on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Google Docs: New initiatives Last month, the company had acquired DocVerse, an online document collaboration company, which permits multiple online users to work on Microsoft Office compatible document formats such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It seems that the search giant will also use the technology in its Google Docs. Further, the company wants to offer team collaboration where users can access office documents on the web, whether they were formed in Google Docs, or MS Office or Lotus Notes. It seems that the company wants to offer real time workability to its solutions. It is reported that new javascript layout engine can handle as many as 50 real-time users in each drawing, spreadsheet and presentation document. Earlier, users have to wait in a queue for doing changes. The company has also added sidebar chat feature along with Doc so that users can discuss about the changes, which are now visible character by character. The search giant has also introduced import and export fidelity between its Docs and MS Office without losing ant data. Cost differenceToday, various cloud based document-sharing services require user fees, however Google Docs are available for free. Enterprises are increasingly adopting the services due to its enhanced sharing features and accessibility. In contrast, MS Office suite will be costlier than all other options available. There will be three editions of Microsoft Office 2010 viz. Office Home and Student, Office Home and Business and Office Professional, which would be priced as £109. 99, £239. 99 and £429. 99, respectively in UK.