Google Acquires Writely

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Thanks to Aaron Meck (Armeck) & DigeratiPrime for the heads up on this

Discussion of a web based productivity suite from Google has been making the rounds on the internet for quite some time, and with the recent news of a Google Calendar project in the works many see Google positioning itself to take on Microsoft Office Live which is currently in beta. The acquisition of Upstartle, a Silicon Valley based software development company is sure to add fuel to the debates.

Writely, the first product from Upstartle, is more or less a web based word processor. It allows users to edit and publish documents online, either privately, in collaboration with specific people, or publicly on the internet. Writely is currently free for use as it is still in beta, but representatives state that once released they hope to provide the basic service for free with additional features to be made available for a reasonable subscription fee.

View: Neowin Forum Discussion

News source: Writely

News source: Google Blog

#1 lexor on 09 Mar 2006 - 20:47

lol they already have a Gmail like GUI, nice fit.

#2 SamNeeds on 09 Mar 2006 - 20:58

Cool...looks good!

(1 reply) #3 sinatosk on 09 Mar 2006 - 21:00

nice n all

but how is it going to bode well now there is a patent for AJAX

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=440153

#3.1 Jugalator on 09 Mar 2006 - 21:27

That's less of a problem for Writely now that they're bought by Google.

I hear Google have some lawyers to pay to deal with patent claims vs prior art.

#4 i like chips on 09 Mar 2006 - 21:07

hey, this is pretty neat. can't wait to sign up

#5 Rudy on 09 Mar 2006 - 21:28

i wonder when they will reopen the registration

also has anyone ever tried it on safari ? if yes, does it work?>

(1 reply) #6 Enrickey on 09 Mar 2006 - 22:30

I have been using Writely for a while now, one of the most useful web apps I have ever encountered.

#6.1 Garrett Socling on 09 Mar 2006 - 23:23

I used it a bit when I got tired of having to compile changes on a document between three other people, amazing how useful it was. it needs a couple more features, and it would be damn near perfect!

#7 xorian on 09 Mar 2006 - 22:51

Let Google make some sort of Web-Office, starting with Web Word

</fantasy>

But it would be a great idea though

(3 replies) #8 XerXis on 09 Mar 2006 - 23:05

yes, another application google can keep in beta for 10 years

*end sarcasm*

seriously, i still think google should stick to it's core business instead of constantly trying new things and not finishing them

#8.1 theyarecomingforyou on 10 Mar 2006 - 00:26

I'm glad that Google is expanding... they seem to be one of the few companies that could take on Microsoft. Apple should as well but they like to think differently, which usually involves a distinct lack of customers.

#8.2 Enrickey on 10 Mar 2006 - 04:10

Well, Writely, although in Beta, is already really usefull. One thing that Google will bring to it is financial backing, which will hopefully make it excel quite a bit.

#8.3 Smigit on 10 Mar 2006 - 11:00

I'd say Googles core business is no longer online searching but online applications and services as a whole. For a very long time now all the major advancements have been in the other fields.

(2 replies) #9 Marduk on 10 Mar 2006 - 00:13

and writely so

#9.1 M2Ys4U on 10 Mar 2006 - 01:10

*rimshot*

#9.2 McG on 10 Mar 2006 - 18:35

Ha--I was just going to say that!

#10 McG on 10 Mar 2006 - 04:30

i'll sign up. definitely. good shot, google.

(2 replies) #11 osirisX on 10 Mar 2006 - 06:56

Another phase is complete of Googles' plan for World Domination™.

#11.1 XP-RTM on 10 Mar 2006 - 14:10

lol soon they'll buy neowin too.. neoogle! haha

#11.2 Audhumla on 13 Mar 2006 - 00:53

All they need now are the rights to Al Gore, then the internet will be theirs!

#12 SMeK on 10 Mar 2006 - 17:40

sounds cool

(1 reply) #13 cowabunga on 11 Mar 2006 - 21:17

yet another tool from google marked beta on the front page. did they slam that on after acquisition or was it there even before?

#13.1 Gobelet on 12 Mar 2006 - 19:29

Give'em a break, Microsoft did the same thing with Microsoft Anti-Spyware (now Windows Defender).

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