As I'm sure a lot of you are aware Google is set to roll out the next version of its popular Google Docs, this will apparently include increased collaboration meaning that 50 people can work on the same doc at once, but a lack of Gears support meaning that offline editing is disabled. The new version will not only allow more people to edit at the same time, but will also offer faster and more responsive editing.

According to Google's blog: "We've extended Google Docs' collaboration capabilities too, with support for up to 50 people working together at once, and in documents, you can now see other people's edits as they happen character-by-character,"
"And now you can also collaborate on flow charts, diagrams and other schematics in real time with a new editor for drawings on Google Docs."
Uploading files to the cloud solution will also be made easier – and take advantage of the 'upload any file' functionality which was brought in last year. Google also added:
"We've responded to many of your requests for features you're used to in desktop software. In documents, we've added a margin ruler, better numbering and bullets and easier image placement options. And in spreadsheets, you'll now find a formula editing bar, cell auto-complete, drag-and-drop columns and other features not possible with older browser technologies."

Is this HTML5 ready? Well according to Google (and they have been fuzzy on this) some functionality has been changed or removed like Auto-translation and offline editing and I suspect this will be a major blow for some users. So be warned: The new editors are not compatible with Gears (the technology that powers offline access) However, there are plans to bring back offline support in the future, taking advantage of new technologies like HTML5 and advancements in modern browsers. Because of the changes Google will offer a preview option for a few months and keep the old version in place. 

Office 2010
Of course there are other offerings out there: Less we forget that Microsoft's next version of Office – Office 2010 (inc Web Apps), arrives soon and this will bring extensive online functionality and also include very powerful device sync tools (Do I detect Google panicking slightly) Microsoft are very aware that the cloud represents the first major threat to its domination of the Office application market, and are keen to ensure that it does not fall behind Google's offering.

More on Docs' and Office 2010 soon.....But at present I have my SharePoint 2010 head on!