Google acquires online word processing app provider

[ohcnetwork]

Google acquires online word processing app provider

By John Fontana, Network World

Google, which late last year dodged rumors it was developing productivity applications, can no longer make that claim as Thursday it acquired Writely, an online word processing application.

While the Google press site is mum on the news, Writely, which is the first product developed by a small Silicon Valley startup called Upstartle, said on its Web site that it has shut down new registrations because it has been acquired by Google.

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I do think that many applications will make the web their platform including Word processor.  I do think that many companies will run a lucrative business in the space; however, I'm not so sure if Google can jump right into that space.  I feel like that Google is spreading itself too thin too fast.

[Sunny Gardens®]

I do think that many applications will make the web their platform including Word processor.  I do think that many companies will run a lucrative business in the space; however, I'm not so sure if Google can jump right into that space.  I feel like that Google is spreading itself too thin too fast.

I think Microsoft already has something like this in place and Google acquired Writely to compete. I cannot remember the details, though.

[ohcnetwork]

When they introduced .Net, they were already planning to do something like this.  But it's a difficult problem to solve, and it's been taking several years.

[Sunny Gardens®]

I am impressed with Google's agility to seemingly challenge a juggernaut like Microsoft. They are certainly in some kind of "attack mode".

[ohcnetwork]

Word is a very mature product, and I am not so sure if anyone can just come in and take over market share from Microsoft.  Open Office is doing a good job, but they're taking a long time to make a good product.