Microsoft is believed to be now considering to offer free, basic versions of word processing and spreadsheet software. These will be ad-supported. This is a sign its battle with ever growing Google.

Microsoft Corporation have revealed on Thursday that they are now considering offering Web-based, ad-supported versions of its word processing and spreadsheet applications for free to turn entry level users on to Microsoft’s applications and technologies, as the company considers how to compete with the growing slate of free applications being offered by rival Google.

Google’s strong popularity and success is due to thier free online applications, Microsoft now feels threatened with Google’s free offering of web based word processing, spreadsheet, calendar, and other tools. Microsoft Corporation is also keen to develop thier revenue via online advertising, these tools will be available under the Windows Live Brand

In present times  Microsoft’s Office application suite accounts for roughly a quarter of the company’s revenue. Microsoft Works, a stripped down application suite with basic word processing, spreadsheet, and communications functions, retails for about $50 and is shipped as a pre-loaded application on many new computers.

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