Google have again pushed the boundaries and have developed an online spreadsheet in direct competition to Microsoft's Excel. The next target for Google will be an online word processor. Microsoft is getting nervous and are continually trying to bring out their own versions to compete but it is innovation that captures peoples attention.
Adobe, initiated by Macromedia, have been doing really well at bringing their beta programs to the public through Adobe Labs. Pre-release software that allows people to test out programs for free, before they are finally released.
Now Microsoft have released a beta of Windows Vista for public preview. Now this kind of innovation is great for us the end user, and maybe one day, we'll not have to pay for software but companies will give it away for free...
I might be time to start looking for a new job :)