20 June 2007

Google acquires Zenter presentation tool

Search engine giant Google has announced its acquisition of online slideshow tool, Zenter.

The new presentation software will add to Google's growing collection of Web-based applications, including GMail, calendar, word processing and spreadsheets.

According to reports, the new site will offer a number of features including a varied choice of Web-based fonts as well as tools which can be used to alter images through different colours and stretch tools.

Zenter, which has been acquired for an undisclosed sum, is also said to have been trying to develop ways to let users share their presentations and art, as well as allow audiences to comment on presentations carried out using the application.

"We've already freed those of you working in teams from the burdens of version control and email attachment overload when going back and forth on word processing and spreadsheets," said Google engineering director Sam Shillace.

"It just made sense to add presentations to the mix - after all, when you create slides, you're almost always going to share them."

Founded by Wayne Crosby and Robby Walker at the beginning of this year, Zenter was one of 12 start-up firms including Reddit and Justin.TV to be funded by US venture firm Y Combinator in 2007.

Before the announcement, Mr Crosby had admitted to hoping to become the "Gmail of PowerPoint" to the Business2.0 blog.

Earlier this year, Google also acquired Tonic Systems, another presentation-making service, which will help to launch the PowerPoint rival.

Home | Careers | RSS | Contact Us | Newsletter

International sites: