It’s a bit like tennis: Google serves the ball, Microsoft returns; Microsoft serves, Google returns. The latest serve is Microsoft’s entry into the free online application zone. Office 2010 Web Applications will include Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote. Anyone with a free Windows Live account will be able to create, edit, and share existing documents with other people online without having to pay Microsoft a dime - that's something I never thought I would see...
PCWorld did a nice job detailing this online offering in its blog “ Office 2010: Most Innovations Are Online”.
Google, you're up. What’s next in the battle to shake the Microsoft tree?
As I mused in a previous blog a few months ago, Google has a great browser. What's next an operating system? Yesterday, we learned the answer: Heck, yes. So what's in store for our PCs? We will see. Short term we may not see many changes; long time, it could change Computer Operating Systems as we know them: they could be free, have more security, more internet-based functionality, more advertising (maybe desktop banner ads...), etc.
I like the idea of Google going head to head with Microsoft (beyond their competing browser, email, desktop suite, search bar - to say nothing of their other monumental applications like Earth, Picasa, et cetera).
Competition will only make Microsoft products better - perhaps they might even stop testing products on us by releasing them as products, charging us to buy them and patching the products endlessly for years. Unlikely, I know - but it could happen.
There is always a price to be paid. Nothing is free: if the OS is free, you'll have to pay something else. Perhaps you'll pay with your time by looking at 2 minutes of Ads banners while your computer boots. In that case, turn the darn thing on and leave your desk for a few minutes - you may get off cheap after all.
Today, July 9th means that you have 3 more whole days to buy Windows 7 during the "Pre-Order" promotion (Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49 or a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for $99). There are many
new features and functions in Windows 7 that are different from Vista.
Also on the Windows radar, Microsoft has launched a free service (that you can access with your Live ID) called Microsoft-Hohm", that can help home owners save energy and money. What a cool way to stay cool, be green and pocket some cash...
Aero Peek is a new feature with Windows 7 that allows a user to quickly view the desktop by clicking on the taskbar. This is one of my favorite features in the improved interface - when's the last time you had x-ray vision?
For more information, read "Using Aero Peek".
