Microsoft is bringing Office to the browser
Microsoft is finally seeing the light when it comes to the power of the browser and works to continue its mantra of “software plus services”. Yesterday the boys in Redmond announced that they will be offering a “lightweight” version of various Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) that can be accessed through the browser. The new service, called Office Web Applications, will be part of the next release of Office. Office Web Applications will be delivered through Office Live and will offer free ad-based or subscription based access.
“As part of the next release of Office, we’re announcing that Microsoft will deliver Office Web applications - lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote - through a browser. With these new applications, people can use a browser to create, edit, and collaborate on Office documents. What’s great is that this provides a consistent Office experience when and where our customers want it, regardless of whether they are accessing their Office documents through the PC, phone, or browser.”
Now this should come as a shock to no one considering it makes perfect sense and Google has had tremendous success with their web-based Office type products. So the question becomes, will they work outside of Internet Explorer? Based on previous Microsoft product launches I would say no – or at least not function correctly. Now I am a huge fan of Firefox and Google’s Chrome, but if I was Microsoft I would make Office Web Applications I.E. exclusive – want to use our products then use our browser. All is fair in love and the browser war.
Check out some Office Web Applications screen shots below:
- Google launches open source browser Chrome
- Microsoft improves tools for paid and organic Search Marketers
- Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 Launched
- Video of Marissa Mayer discussing Chrome, Google’s new web browser
- Apple’s Safari Browser - Now for Windows
Pingback from Microsoft extends services via web | Strive Notes
Time: November 3, 2008, 6:52 am
[...] Microsoft is bringing Office to the browser addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fstrivepr.com%2F2008%2F11%2F03%2Fmicrosoft-extends-services-via-web%2F’; addthis_title = ‘Microsoft+extends+services+via+web’; addthis_pub = ‘Sherrilynne’; [...]