Google improves spreadsheet program, targets Microsoft

Tuesday, 13 April 2010, 22:58 IST   |    1 Comments
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Google improves spreadsheet program, targets Microsoft
Bangalore: Google has added many features in its online package of word processing and spreadsheet programs so that the look and feel of the program comes close to Microsoft Office. Google has been trying to dethrone Microsoft's dominance in the Office tools space. The new changes introduced include several editing tools for word processing and quicker ways to fill cells in spreadsheets, according to Reuters. In recent years, Google has been trying to diversify its own business, lessening its financial dependence on Internet advertising powered primarily by its search engine. Google has a distinct advantage over Microsoft in terms of usability as Google allows customers to access their documents anywhere through cloud computing. But many companies remain reluctant to entrust their technology to an outside service that could be hacked or suffer lengthy outages. To promote cloud computing's advantages, Google hosted the technology decision makers from about 400 companies at its Mountain View headquarters few days ago. Google CEO Eric Schmidt says that the company's online suite is aiming to provide about 80 percent of all the tools available in more established programs such as Office. "Our applications aren't full replacements for the incumbents," Schmidt said.