Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Market Share: Microsoft Office vs Google Apps

From BBC article. 5-11-2010

Gartner reports:
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Microsoft Office: 94%
Google Apps: 4%
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...Google Docs now offers word-processing, spreadsheet software and a presentation tool, amongst others. Businesses can pay for premium versions.

It currently has a small (4%) but growing share of the market.

By contrast, Microsoft dominates the Office software space, with a market share of more than 94%, according to Gartner. The vast majority of sales are to businesses.

Business "is still overwhelmingly a Microsoft world", said Sheri McLeish, analyst at Forrester Research.

Microsoft Office 2010 takes aim at Google Docs

From BBC News
23:14 GMT, Tuesday, 11 May 2010 0:14 UK

Microsoft Office 2010 takes aim at Google Docs

Microsoft is preparing to launch its latest weapon in its ongoing battle with Google.

The software giant will launch its flagship product Office 2010 to businesses on 12 May.

The latest version of the software has a free online component - called Office Web Apps.

Analysts believe the web offering is a response to Google, which has been encroaching on Microsoft's core business with its free online tools.

Crucially, Microsoft will also offer its online office suite to all users of one of the world's most popular social networking sites, Facebook.

"There's no question - Microsoft is responding to Google's threat," said Whit Andrews, analyst at research firm Gartner.

Complete posting.

Verizon: We're making a tablet with Google

I love my iPad but some competition would be great. Devices need Flash and multi-tasking capabilities!

From CNET.com
May 11, 2010 2:43 PM PDT

by Tom Krazit

Verizon: We're making a tablet with Google

Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam confirmed plans Tuesday to release a tablet computer running software from Google at some point, but did not elaborate on timing.

The Wall Street Journal spoke to McAdam, who said "we're looking at all the things Google has in its archives that we could put on a tablet to make it a great experience." The two companies signed a partnership last year to develop a family of mobile devices based on Android, although it's not clear if McAdam is referring to Android, Chrome OS, or just Google applications running atop something else.

Few will be surprised at the notion that Google and Verizon are heading down this path: The New York Times reported last month that Google was working on a slate-style Android tablet along the lines of Apple's iPad.

Complete posting.