Will Google Beat Microsoft in the Application War?

Will Google Beat Microsoft in the Application War?

Word broke on Tuesday that Google had purchased Tonic Systems, a software company with an online web app similar in functionality to PowerPoint. Google execs say that the new spreadsheet application will join the Google Docs & Spreadsheets suite this summer.

Google’s Mike Schmitt says that he “doesn’t think” their goal is to kill Microsoft Office, all logic points to the contrary. Whether or not it happens remains to be seen, but it does seem that this is the goal Google is trying to achieve.

Google is the first to admit that the slideshow application, just like its Word-type and Excel-type applications are not equal in functionality to that of Microsoft’s similar applications. As someone who has used both, I can certainly vouch for this. The applications are slow and only offer basic features—at least for now.

Google’s dabbling in traditionally desktop applications makes me wonder if they will face a similar fate as when Microsoft tried to move into search. Microsoft, the once technology giant, fell flat when it attempted to move into new turf and many would say has been on a downward spiral ever since. But so far, Google has a history of having a Midas touch and succeeding in just about everything it tries.

1 Comment
  • Augustus Fulkerson
    Posted at 19:04h, 17 September

    I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.