Google Attacks Microsoft Office With KitKat Update

Over the last five years, Microsoft has seen more failure than success. Its operating systems have annoyed users with problems and impractical UI changes, its attempt at launching devices have failed (for instance the Surface range of tablets). It has also been doing poorly in the mobile segment, with its Windows Phone 8 OS capturing less than four percent of global market share. However, it has a few traditional products that keep the company going. One of them happens to be its Office suite, which brings in a huge share of revenue for the company. And it is this area that Google is now attacking.

The Internet giant has launched the latest version of its mobile OS, Android KitKat, and it ships with Google's Quick Office App, which happens to be a direct competitor to Microsoft. Google's application is available for all mobiles and tablets running Android OS, and allows users to edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on the go, for free.

This is means that all users who upgrade to KitKat will automatically have the app on their phones and tablets. Google's move will serve as a direct attack to one of Microsoft's most important business. Users won't even have to download the Quick Office app anymore and it will serve as the default choice for viewing and editing Office documents on Android devices.

While Microsoft has a mobile version of its Office suite for iOS and Android, the application is not free. Users will require an Office 365 subscription to use it. This is a contrast to Google's offering, which is free, fast and boasts compatibility with all Microsoft file formats.

By including the Quick Office app on its KItKat update, Google has given its productivity apps user base a huge boost. The Internet giant acquired the app in June 2012 and went on to release a free version of the app for the iPad in December 2012.