Google has acquired Quickoffice for an undisclosed sum and the move is billed as a way to bridge Google Apps, mobile and Quickoffice.
When you add up the moving parts, Microsoft Office is probably the most compelling reason to use a Windows 8 tablet going forward---at least for businesses. Microsoft is likely to integrate Windows 8 and Office in a big way. In other words, Microsoft's big mobile plays will depend on Office.
From the Google side of the equation, the search giant has the following assets:
- Android devices everywhere.
- Google Apps integration with those devices.
- And now Quickoffice, which serves as an almost de facto office suite for many folks.
Quickoffice CEO Alan Masarek said:
We are ushering in a new chapter with Google. By combining the magic of Google's intuitive solutions with Quickoffice's powerful products, our shared vision for anytime, anywhere productivity can only grow.
Microsoft's calendar on Windows 8
Officially, Google said:
Today, consumers, businesses and schools use Google Apps to get stuff done from anywhere, with anyone and on any device. QuickOffice has an established track record of enabling seamless interoperability with popular file formats, and we'll be working on bringing their powerful technology to our Apps product suite.
Quickoffice has a strong base of users, and we look forward to supporting them while we work on an even more seamless, intuitive and integrated experience.
Google should have said:
We've acquired Quickoffice as a nice offensive against Microsoft before it goes mobile happy with Office. We think we can integrate Apps and Quickoffice before Microsoft launches its mobile assault.
Related:
Windows 8 from every angle: A guided tour of the Release Preview