Google and Sun Microsystems news disappoints, although venture could yield compelling products going forward

This morning there was much speculation that a major announcement jointly planned by Google and Sun Microsystems might deliver a jolt to Microsoft. Both USA Today in “Google, Sun Microsystems collaborate” and the Good Morning Silicon Valley blog in “It looks like you’re planning to smash Microsft into oblivion. Perhaps I can help.” speculated that the news would be centered on a Google-backed version of Sun’s office suite that would compete with Microsoft Office. The prognosticators that the duo might offers a network-centric office suite rather than relying on desktop storage of applications. Alas the announcement was focused on a deal in which Sun will offer the Google Toolbar as an option for consumers who download the Java Runtime Environment. The press release does, however, mention possible future collaboration on the openoffice.org productivity suite.