In what Apple fans will no doubt be calling an epic fail, Microsoft' is to launch its own version of Google Docs.  Essentially this will see their products open up to the cloud (ah, the good old 'cloud), including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.  Online users will essentially be able to do the same things as Google Docs: create documents online, edit, collaborate, and store, all in the glorious cloud.

Crucially, to use it users will have to download the desktop version of Office 2010 in order to have a bash with the online variation.  We're not sure whether this lets you import your existing Google Docs - which, if you're anything like me is choc-a-block and therefore a little bit important - but that's not to say it's not a little bit cool.

All users need is an MSN Live log-in, and any user of MSN probably has this, and then you've got access.  The nice bit though is that any documents created in Office 2010 can be stored in the cloud as well.  Swish.

Beyond this interesting element though, it's not too exciting and is a fairly predictable move.  But.. would online and offline document handling affect whether you move?  To create in a fully geared up version of Word and to switch to lightweight online use is a fairly nice idea.  Perhaps that's because I've never been inclined to use Google Docs for exciting spreadsheet work.

So, do you want Google's simple software-free plug-and-play attitude, which many are already deeply ingrained in, or would you be willing to switch to Microsoft?  What're your thoughts?

(images via mashable.com)