CNET News reports that browser-based Microsoft Office Web Apps are now available in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and Ireland

The Office Web Apps, as the programs are dubbed, are slimmed down versions of the desktop counterparts, allowing for document viewing, sharing, and lightweight editing. Consumers get free access to the tools, along with 25GB of storage as part of Windows Live, while businesses can also host their own version of the Web Apps using the latest version of Sharepoint. The main catch is that using the browser-based versions require an active Internet connection.

  Microsoft's Web-based Office goes live