Microsoft take aim at Google with web-based software

Published on Tuesday 14 July 2009 13:38

MICROSOFT struck its latest blow against rival Google with plans to offer web-based versions of Office software.

The move would allow customers of the IT giant to access their documents and other files from any computer via the internet.

"Lightweight" web-based versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote will be made available as part of the new Office 2010.

They will be free, with revenue coming from advertising, and companies with long-term licensing agreements will be allowed to download the products on to their own servers for no extra charge.

The development is the latest move in rivalry between Google and Microsoft, which have edged into one another's traditional territory.

Microsoft has launched its own search engine Bing, and now plans to offer web-based software – a set-up called "cloud computing".

Google has already given users internet-based access to documents and files for three years, and last week revealed plans for a new, free operating system called Chrome.