SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google is buying Quickoffice, the maker of a widely used mobile application for working on documents created in Microsoft’s programs for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.
The deal announced Tuesday gives Google Inc. more tools to undercut Microsoft Corp., one of its biggest rivals, as more people get work done on smartphones and tablet computers.
Quickoffice makes those devices compatible with Microsoft Office even if the software suite isn’t installed on them.
More than 400 million devices are currently equipped with the Quickoffice app, which costs $15 to $20. It works on several types of devices, including Apple Inc.’s iPhone and iPad and those running Google’s Android software.
