• Microsoft Launches Free Online Office Web Apps

    Microsoft Launches Free Online Office Web Apps

    Techtree News Staff, Jun 09, 2010 1355 hrs IST

    Google Docs gets competition

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Microsoft, after nine months of allowing select users to beta test it, has launched a free version of Office Web Apps across the globe.

The service, which is directed as a viable alternative to already existing services like Google Docs and spread sheets, has been officially announced in U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Ireland. That, however, should not stop you from trying it out because the service, from what we can see, is accessible from anywhere. It's only that some languages and features are not functional in these non-supported areas.






As of now, the service is integrated with Windows Live SkyDrive (and not Hotmail). The service supports all major Office Apps including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote. Users can edit, create and share documents - all within the confines of their browser.

Currently supported browsers include Internet Explorer 7 and above, Chrome on Windows and Mac, Firefox 3.5+ on Windows, Mac, and Linux, or Safari 4+ on Mac. Some mobile browsers too are supported. This list includes Internet Explorer on Windows Mobile, Safari 4 on the iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia S60 browser, NetFront, Opera Mobile 8.65 and later, and Openwave.



Hotmail is expected to get OWA integration in a weeks time (June 15). It is also the day Microsoft will release the retail version of Office 2010 - which is currently in RTM.

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Discussion Board
(6) Comments
Didos
,Pretoria, on Jun 11, 2010 02:45 PM
I still prefer to use free desktop office software like SSuite Office. I don't like having all my applications on the net. :)
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Paul
,Bangalore, on Jun 11, 2010 12:58 PM
My favorite is still Google Docs, Zoho and OpenOffice and I can use all these on Ubuntu 10.04.
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Paul
,India, on Jun 10, 2010 09:02 PM
I don’t think Office live works cross platform… “To use Microsoft Office Live, your computer must meet one of the following requirements: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 running on Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista. You can download Internet Explorer from the Internet Explorer page. Mozilla Firefox running on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, or Mac OS X 10.2.x and later. You can download Firefox from the Firefox download page.”
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anonymous
,anonymous, on Jun 09, 2010 09:41 PM
USed it. Its good. But to beat Google it has to work a lot. Many of its features are disabled. But primary thing it lacks is Table Manipulations. Google docs is way too better than MS. Another alternative is open office. OPen Office is not as great as MS but it is certainly not worst.
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fred simpson
,rosenrath, on Jun 09, 2010 06:42 PM
i will support this app
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Brian Chen
,quebec, on Jun 09, 2010 06:22 PM
i prefer google docs better. It is more clean and simple to use.
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