In a move that has sent ripples through the tech community, Adobe is set to acquire Boston-based startup Virtual Ubiquity, the creators of the innovative browser-based word processor, Buzzword. The news broke late last night, igniting a flurry of discussions on Twitter, with Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch leading the charge. Robert Scoble quickly followed suit, amplifying the buzz surrounding this significant acquisition.

The landscape of online word processing is becoming increasingly competitive, with Adobe now entering a field already populated by formidable players such as Google Docs, Zoho Writer, and ThinkFree. As Scoble aptly noted, “Adobe joins the rest of the industry in going for Microsoft’s throat,” signaling a concerted effort by tech giants to challenge Microsoft Office’s long-standing dominance in the productivity software market.

The potential for growth in this sector is substantial. As more users transition to cloud-based solutions, the demand for robust, user-friendly word processing tools is on the rise. Personally, my own usage is currently split 80/20 in favor of Google Docs and ThinkFree, but as technology continues to evolve, I anticipate that this ratio will shift closer to 100% in favor of online solutions. The convenience of accessing documents from anywhere, coupled with real-time collaboration features, makes these platforms increasingly appealing.

In addition to the Buzzword acquisition, Adobe has also launched Adobe Share, a community platform dedicated to file sharing. This initiative positions Adobe alongside other emerging platforms like Scribd and Docstoc, which recently showcased their new community features at TechCrunch40. The ability to share documents seamlessly and engage with a community of users is becoming a critical component of the modern digital workspace.

As Adobe integrates Buzzword into its suite of products, it will be interesting to see how they leverage their existing strengths in design and creativity to enhance the word processing experience. The combination of Adobe’s brand recognition and Virtual Ubiquity’s innovative technology could potentially disrupt the status quo and offer users a compelling alternative to Microsoft Office.

Adobe Engage: Virtual Ubiquity - Buzzword

Adobe’s acquisition of Virtual Ubiquity, the company behind the innovative online word processor Buzzword, marks a significant step in the evolution of collaborative document editing. With the launch of Adobe Engage, the integration of Buzzword into Adobe’s suite of tools aims to enhance user experience and redefine how teams collaborate on documents.

What is Buzzword?

Buzzword is a browser-based word processor that allows users to create, edit, and share documents in real-time. Its intuitive interface and rich feature set make it a strong contender in the online word processing market. Key features of Buzzword include:

• Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on a document simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes in real-time.
• Rich Text Editing: Buzzword offers a variety of formatting options, allowing users to create visually appealing documents.
• Cloud Storage: Documents are stored in the cloud, making them accessible from any device with an internet connection.
• Version Control: Users can track changes and revert to previous versions of a document, ensuring that no important edits are lost.

Adobe Engage: Enhancing Collaboration

With Adobe Engage, the integration of Buzzword into Adobe’s ecosystem brings several enhancements:

1. Seamless Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Engage allows users to leverage the power of Adobe Creative Cloud, enabling them to incorporate rich media elements such as images, videos, and graphics directly into their documents. This integration enhances the overall quality of the content produced.

2. Enhanced Collaboration Tools

Adobe Engage introduces advanced collaboration features, including:

• Commenting and Annotations: Users can leave comments and annotations directly on documents, facilitating clearer communication and feedback.
• Task Management: Teams can assign tasks related to document creation, ensuring accountability and streamlined workflows.

3. Improved User Experience

The user interface of Buzzword has been refined to align with Adobe’s design principles, providing a more cohesive and user-friendly experience. The updated interface includes:

• Intuitive Navigation: Users can easily navigate through documents and features, reducing the learning curve for new users.
• Customizable Templates: A library of templates allows users to start projects quickly, catering to various document types such as reports, proposals, and presentations.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Virtual Ubiquity and the launch of Adobe Engage represent a strategic move by Adobe to strengthen its position in the online productivity space. By integrating Buzzword into its suite of tools, Adobe is not only enhancing the capabilities of its offerings but also providing users with a powerful platform for collaboration and creativity.

As the demand for cloud-based solutions continues to grow, Adobe Engage is poised to become a key player in the market, offering users a comprehensive set of tools to create, collaborate, and share documents seamlessly.