ThinkFree to enter 'Web office' fray

ThinkFree is turning to AJAX to build on online version of its desktop productivity suite, joining the ranks of Google and others pursuing online desktop applications.

The company has a more full featured Desktop Edition of its productivity suite, which is written in Java.

Later this year, ThinkFree will launch the Premium Edition, which will be a Web-based online version, said Jonathan Crow, director of marketing at ThinkFree.

"We're coming out with an AJAX version of our Calc spreadsheet in the next two months," Crow said.

Going with AJAX imposes some limitations on features, he said.

"You can't write as a full a featured application in AJAX as you can in Java," he said.

The company is also planning on introducing a tiered pricing plan later in the third quarter.

The subscription-based service will targeted at small and medium-sized businesses, Crow said.