Google Unveils PowerPoint Competitor
Yesterday, Google launched Presently, its online presentation creator and its direct competitor to Microsoft’s PowerPoint. As with Google documents and spreadsheets, users can collaborate in real time from different locations: the PowerPoint competitor lets them simultaneously create, share, and view presentation slide decks via a Web browser.
On the face of it, Google has now replicated all the main features of Microsoft Office for its online office suite, although, as some have pointed out, its package is missing several of Microsoft’s flashier bells and whistles.
The main novelty of the Web-based application, and the main aspect that Google hopes will give it an edge, is that it eliminates the need to create multiple versions of the same file as the file evolves in a work flow. By putting the presentation application online, everyone working on it will literally be on the same page.
But will Google Docs, as its office suite is known, ultimately replace the Microsoft Office suite? That will depend in large part on its appeal in a corporate marketplace where Microsoft is currently king. It’ll be an uphill battle, but Google is making a fine start.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build
“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”
ChatGPT is going to change education, not destroy it
The narrative around cheating students doesn’t tell the whole story. Meet the teachers who think generative AI could actually make learning better.
Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives
The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.
Learning to code isn’t enough
Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.