Google, Sun to challenge Office
The Australian: Google, Sun to challenge Office [October 05, 2005]: "INTERNET search king Google and US tech giant Sun Microsystems are teaming to offer free spreadsheet and word-processing software online in a head-on challenge to rival Microsoft.
The two companies announced a deal under which they will allow all web users to access Sun's OpenOffice – its equivalent to the dominant Microsoft Office program – from any personal computer.
'Working with Google will make our technologies available more broadly, increase options for users, lower barriers and expand participation worldwide,' Sun's chief executive Scott McNealy said.
'Free and open-source technologies, such as OpenOffice.org, OpenSolaris and Java, have never been safer or offered more choices,' he said, unveiling the nascent partnership with the planet's most popular search engine.
The accord gives Google, which is moving aggressively beyond its search-engine origins, the right to develop Sun products.
Sun will offer Google's search toolbar with downloads of its free Java software, a utility for an array of web-based applications that Sun says powers more than 2.5 billion gadgets including 700 million PCs.
'Google and Java are two of the most widely recognised technology brands because they provide users with online tools that enhance their lives on a day-to-day basis," Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said.
The move to make OpenOffice available online throws down the gauntlet to Microsoft, a longstanding rival to Sun and the global market leader in software applications.
Google's distribution of the Sun software could undercut Microsoft's bedrock business strategy of selling its ubiquitous software bundled into operating systems that come pre-installed on PCs.
Microsoft stock slumped US52c to close at $US24.98 after the rival tie-up was announced. Google shares fell $US7.68 to $US311.00 but Sun stock crept up US1c to $US4.20.
Brent Bracelin of Pacific Crest Equities said a lack of specific details given by Google and Sun was a disappointment after a day of secretive hype-building by the companies.
"There could have been more meat on the bones," Mr Bracelin said.
"That said, it's still a minor positive for Sun."
For Google, the Sun partnership could help in its battle with Microsoft and rival search engine Yahoo over the delivery of web-based services.
For years, Sun and others have tried without success to dent Microsoft's dominance of the market for business software that combines word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail and other programs.
Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund said Google's participation in delivering OpenOffice over the Internet "may be the twist that makes this more successful than other attempts to erode the (Microsoft) Office franchise".
But Mr Sherlund cautioned that Microsoft remained a formidable opponent.
"Office is a standard in the corporate market already, and many people use it at home as well," he said in a research note. "
The two companies announced a deal under which they will allow all web users to access Sun's OpenOffice – its equivalent to the dominant Microsoft Office program – from any personal computer.
'Working with Google will make our technologies available more broadly, increase options for users, lower barriers and expand participation worldwide,' Sun's chief executive Scott McNealy said.
'Free and open-source technologies, such as OpenOffice.org, OpenSolaris and Java, have never been safer or offered more choices,' he said, unveiling the nascent partnership with the planet's most popular search engine.
The accord gives Google, which is moving aggressively beyond its search-engine origins, the right to develop Sun products.
Sun will offer Google's search toolbar with downloads of its free Java software, a utility for an array of web-based applications that Sun says powers more than 2.5 billion gadgets including 700 million PCs.
'Google and Java are two of the most widely recognised technology brands because they provide users with online tools that enhance their lives on a day-to-day basis," Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said.
The move to make OpenOffice available online throws down the gauntlet to Microsoft, a longstanding rival to Sun and the global market leader in software applications.
Google's distribution of the Sun software could undercut Microsoft's bedrock business strategy of selling its ubiquitous software bundled into operating systems that come pre-installed on PCs.
Microsoft stock slumped US52c to close at $US24.98 after the rival tie-up was announced. Google shares fell $US7.68 to $US311.00 but Sun stock crept up US1c to $US4.20.
Brent Bracelin of Pacific Crest Equities said a lack of specific details given by Google and Sun was a disappointment after a day of secretive hype-building by the companies.
"There could have been more meat on the bones," Mr Bracelin said.
"That said, it's still a minor positive for Sun."
For Google, the Sun partnership could help in its battle with Microsoft and rival search engine Yahoo over the delivery of web-based services.
For years, Sun and others have tried without success to dent Microsoft's dominance of the market for business software that combines word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail and other programs.
Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund said Google's participation in delivering OpenOffice over the Internet "may be the twist that makes this more successful than other attempts to erode the (Microsoft) Office franchise".
But Mr Sherlund cautioned that Microsoft remained a formidable opponent.
"Office is a standard in the corporate market already, and many people use it at home as well," he said in a research note. "
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