Google challenges Microsoft with StarOffice in free Pack download

Offers Works-rivaling software for nought

14 August 2007 15:43 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Google Pack, Google's freeware bundle still in Beta but available now for free download, has been expanded.

It now includes StarOffice, the software suite from Sun that forms the basis for open-source OpenOffice.org.

StarOffice offers word processing as well spreadsheets, presentation, drawing, and database capabilities.

Normally available for $69.95, StarOffice is free with the Google Pack download.

This addition to the Google Pack means that the internet giant is encroaching even further on to Microsoft's turf.

The Google Pack could be argued to be a direct competitor to Microsoft's Office software and certainly compares to its Works offering.

It was recently revealed that Microsoft are considering a "free" ad-supported version of Works, but this would not be available online but be bundled with budget laptops.

Full tags

Software, Microsoft, Google, Sun Microsystems, Office software