Microsoft nightmare continues - Google Docs to support Powerpoint

Adam Turner
Monday, 05 February 2007 04:34

Your IT - Home IT

As if Microsoft didn't have enough to worry about after the lukewarm response to Vista and Office 2007, Google's free online office suite is set to do Powerpoint as well.

Code-named Google Presently, the presentation feature is set to become a part of Google Docs & Spreadsheets which, as the name suggests, currently offers document and spreadsheet editing. Users will be able to convert a document into a presentation, create slides and view the presentation in full-screen, reports unofficial Google-watching blog Google Operating System.

Presently is a play on Writely, the name of the online document editor Google acquired last year and combined with an online spreadsheet to create Google Docs & Spreadsheets.

The news comes amid speculation the search engine giant is in acquisition talks with online Office clone ThinkFree - one of the most well rounded and fully featured Office-like online suites available. It also puts greater pressure on Microsoft to make its flagship Office suite available online. Microsoft's Office Live service is not actually Office applications such as Word and Excel online, but rather a service offering web space and collaboration tools.