Google has axed Sun's StarOffice productivity suite from
itsGoogle Pack software
collection.
Google Pack
allows web users to download free applications and tools to improve
their web experience and make them more productive.
But Google has dropped the
StarOffice
suite from the list of Google Pack options without giving a
reason.
There is speculation that Google is keen to spend more time
promoting its own free on-demand Google Docs and Spreadsheet apps
instead.
StarOffice was free with Google Pack, but it is charged for on
Sun's own website. A small number of PCs come with StarOffice
already loaded onto the machine for free.
StarOffice is in fact similar to the free OpenOffice suite of
productivity apps that Sun also helped to develop. Both OpenOffice
and StarOffice are billed as potential competitors to Microsoft's
Office suite.
Google Pack still offers the likes of Google Earth, Google
Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Norton Security Scan, Spyware
Doctor, Google Desktop, Picasa, Firefox with Google, Google Photos
Screensaver, Adobe Reader, Google Talk, Skype and RealPlayer.
StarOffice 9 is expected to be released later this month.