The sound you hear is Microsoft screaming.

Google and Sun are having a press conference at this very moment and rumor has it that they’re going to announce a browser-based OpenOffice. The announcement will come via live webcast. The rumor originated over at Slashdot.

Google has been going in all directions recently, challenging all sorts of established players on their own turf. It’s a bit worrying to see Google work on everything but their core search product. Not that the question of why Google would want a browser based office on their servers isn’t obvious. When they said they want to index and organize the world’s information, they clearly meant it in earnest.

Hat-tip to Google Blogoscoped for the links.

Update: Confirmed. Gee, guys, we know that you don’t like Microsoft but it’s not actually a good idea to taunt them.

Susan Esparza is former managing editor at Bruce Clay Inc., and has written extensively for clients and internal publications. Along with Bruce Clay, she is co-author of the first edition of Search Engine Optimization All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies.

See Susan's author page for links to connect on social media.