This year, Google will probably acquire a web-based PowerPoint-like presentation application, such as Thumbstacks, to complement its Google Spreadsheets online spreadsheet and Writely word processor, according to market research firm Gartner, writes TechWeb. But Google isn't interested in going head to head with Microsoft's Office products, particularly in the enterprise space.

Google is more interested in the consumer market - and in expanding its collaborative and social-networking environments to offer more inventory to online advertisers - according to Gartner research note.

Google may also be hoping that its online applications distract Microsoft as it attempts to compete with Google in the advertising arena.