Microsoft Corp has been secretly working on a Java implementation of its Office 97 product, according to rumors and web site stories yesterday. This is consistent with Redmond’s cover all possibilities approach, and is hence believable, especially given that one version alleges that the thing won’t ship unless competing products from Corel (Office for Java, due for general availability in June) and Lotus (Kona, third quarter) do well. That this would contradict Microsoft’s professed antipathy to all things Network Computer seems to worry no-one. A Corel spokesperson told us that the Canadian company welcomed any such move, claiming it meant Microsoft recognizes Java as not just a language but a platform. Asked if Corel was worried about Microsoft’s Office stealing its own Office lunch, Corel says it has nothing to fear since it is first out of the gates. Or should that be Gates?
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