Microsoft squares up to Google Docs

Office Web Apps to launch on June 15 and go head-to-head with Google's cloud-based offering.

Microsoft's web version of Office 2010, which Microsoft will offer for free to compete with Google Docs, has been dated for June 15.

Office Web Apps allows you to access documents from virtually anywhere, says Microsoft. “Whether you’re editing a document from home or collaborating with someone around the world, Office Web Apps help you work the way you want.”

Web Apps will take several weeks to reach everyone (via Windows Live), according to Chris Capossela, Senior Vice President of the Microsoft Business Division.  "It's not as coordinated as the retail launch, where you should be able to walk into any store and see shrink-wrapped product," he said. "It's a little bit of rolling thunder."

June 15 is the same date when copies of Office 2010 land in retail stores.