Google vs. Microsoft Office: Game time

Is Google Gears the missing "kick-ass" Google Apps link that will enable Google to kick Microsoft Office's "ass"?

Is there really such a thing as a magic bullet? After all, Google must first get Google Apps right, in the Google cloud!

Google Apps has been around for a whopping nine months, several product cycles in the Googley scheme of things. Google Apps Premier version debuted in February.

As is the typical Googleplex fashion, a "game changing," but only quarter-baked, Google add-on initiative is "unveiled" to the world, regardless that the base product is not meeting its stand alone expectations.

Today may be the start of a new Google Apps game though.

Google Apps Premiere launched as a "for-fee" product, but no fees were charged. Upon launch, April 30 was set as the drop-dead date for actually processing the $50 stated annual fee on Google Apps Premier users' credit cards. Google then extended the "free trial," through TODAY!

As it stands now, Google still indicates as of tomorrow, credit cards beware.

Knowing Google, however, there may just be another Googley twist looming in the cloud. Stay tuned!

ALSO: Google: Tough love for Microsoft

In the Meantime:

Google vs. Microsoft Office? NO: vs. Open Office (.org)! Google Gears: NOT ready for prime time Google’s love hate relationship with the desktop How Microsoft battles Google in Search warfareIs Google Enterprise Search a joke? Google user data cloud: Do you trust it? Google declares Google Office victory Is Google Office really an enigma? Google Apps goes Enterprise Professional: $5000 please