Google Further Expands Office Tools

 

April 18, 2007 -- Vying for a greater share of the business-software market, Google on Tuesday said it expects to launch a presentation application similar to Microsoft's PowerPoint within the next few months.

The application, which will be part of Google Docs & Spreadsheets, will enable users to store and share slides, spreadsheets, and other documents online.

As part of the move, the company has acquired Tonic Systems, a San Francisco- and Melbourne, Australia-based software firm that specializes in business presentation applications, for an undisclosed amount.

"Students, writers, teachers, organizers, and, well, just about everyone who uses a computer can look forward to having real-time, Web-based collaboration across even more common business-document formats," Sam Schillace, Google's engineering director, said in a statement.

In February, the company unveiled Google Apps, a cheaper Web-based alternative to Microsoft Office. Three year ago, it rolled out a workplace e-mail and calendar application similar Microsoft Outlook.

- next -