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Already allowing users to preview Microsoft Word and Excel documents in their web browsers, Google’s Gmail has released its latest offering, the Slideshow Preview, allowing users to examine their PowerPoint attachments in a separate window. With three of the major Office applications able to be previewed by Google, it seems that Google is really setting their sights on those users who don’t need full Office functionality, and just use it for reading/opening files.

When someone receives an email with a PowerPoint attachment, there will be an option to “View as slideshow”, which opens up a new window and previews the presentation. It’s a Flash based application, and the user would be allow to go back and forth within the presentation by clicking on arrows at the top or by right clicking on the application itself.

What benefit would this have for Google?  Nothing at the moment it seems, except for attracting more people to use Google based applications in their daily activities, which in turn of course increases their user base for AdSense, AdWords and their other revenue generating programs. So by nothing we actually mean millions of dollars.

Via [OuterCourt]