Microsoft to offer "freeware" online

Finally gets with the "cloud computing" programme


5 September 2007 13:10 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

The New York Times reports that Microsoft is finally about to make available a free, if limited, software suite online.

The software giant has been facing increasingly competition from the likes of Google and OpenOffice, as well as hundreds of Silicon Valley start-ups offering software services online, referred to as "cloud computing".

Google recently added StarOffice to its free Google Pack, the software suite from Sun that offers word processing as well spreadsheets, presentation, drawing, and database capabilities.

The reports suggest that Microsoft will make its initial free offerings available via Windows Live, which boasts roughly 300 million active users. The release will let users download all the services separately or as a bundle.

The software offered initially will be Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and Windows Live OneCare Family Safety, a security program.
Related
Full tags
Software, Online, Websites, Google, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems

share print story pdf email story

Recommended articles

Recommended articles from around the web
Loading

Best iPad 2 apps

We detail the best iPad 2 and iPad apps in the app store Which iPad app should you download?

Best new iPad apps

We detail the best iPad apps in the app store for your new Retina Display Which iPad app should you download?

Windows 8

First Look: Windows 8 Consumer Preview reviewed

The new iPad

The new iPad: Everything you need to know

Pocket-lint poll

Q. Does the Samsung Galaxy S III deliver what you hoped for?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Would you switch from iOS to Android? 54% said yes and 46% said no