Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has announced the launch of its Google Docs editing features for Android and iOS based tablets in an effort to tap into the lucrative word processing apps market.
The feature enables real-time co-editing of word documents, spreadsheets and power-point presentations over tablets. The cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) is being leveraged by Google to enhance a mobile phone's capacity to deliver editing features for Google Docs, which was earlier limited to word viewing.
The lack of editing features had created room for third-party app providers to create solutions for iPad and Android owners. According to an estimate by Business Insider, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) will churn more profits from its iWork apps for iPad than Google does from its entire applications division. Also, BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) recently acquired assets of DataViz, the maker of popular Documents-To-Go application, which was Apple's best-selling app in 2009.
BlackBerry's acquisition of DataViz lifted the app -- which was originally made for Palm OS -- out of the webOS camp. Thus, Google's attempt could be an attempt to fill the vacuum even as RIM and Apple ramp up their efforts to make word processing more friendly on mobiles and tablets.Since editing documents on a mobile screen is rather cumbersome, Google's strategy to launch the suite for tablets, which offer significantly larger screen, could bolster its chances of success. The availability of a complete document suite will also make the tablet more appealing for business users. The feature also allows Google to be in the eReader segment where Google Docs can be a viable complementary product.
The presence of Google Docs on tablets will make the device more holistic by allowing integration with new devices like Hewlett-Packard wireless printer range -- ePrint. Apple too has announced the launch of its AirPrint feature with iOS 4.2 which will be available from November. The new feature allows Apple devices to automatically find wireless printers without the need to install any drivers or software. This provides Google ample opportunity to leverage its Google Docs product with Apple.
International Business Times, The Global Business News Leader
