Microsoft moves and Google games

16/03/10 posted by Liz Niland

In a better-late-than-never move, Microsoft are offering free Google Docs-style versions of applications from their Office suite. Available in beta through Microsoft Office Live, the web-based service allow users to create, edit and share Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, as well as a selection of other template-based creative materials. While Microsoft are gearing up for the launch of the new and improved Office 2010 traditional software package, could this free-of-charge online foray - and the competition from applications like Google Docs - hinder sales? As reported by SMH, Office 2010‘s senior product manager, Reed Shaffner, “We invest $US1 billion in R&D in every version of Office that we put out. If you think of productivity suites, no one else can begin to play in that arena.”

Keeping with Google, here’s a bit of fun for your Tuesday: Did you know you can make your search engine speak Pirate? Or Klingon? Or Pig Latin? These Google “Easter eggs”, (the term used to describe hidden surprises or features buried within software and applications) as unveiled by Mashable, are found by typing in particular phrases to Google.com (not Google.com.au) and pressing the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button. Try “google easter eggs” for a game with a literal take on the Easter egg, “once in a blue moon” for the exact calculation of this frequency and “chuck norris google” for proof that Google most definitely has a sense of humour.

Jokes aside though, Google have hit decision time over their threatened withdrawal from China due to censorship issues. In the recent BBC global survey, just 16% of Chinese adults surveyed agreed that the “Internet should never be regulated by any level of government anywhere.” Discussed by Ben Parr, Google appear to be struggling with their next move, particularly with the impact a complete China-withdrawal would have on the future of the Android mobile platform. Parr comments that Google “is trying to have the rest of its China pie while coming out looking like the good guys.” It’ll no doubt be an interesting movement to watch but unfortunately, as Parr writes, Google’s “actions, while still bold, will not change how things are done in China.”