They say what goes around comes around. That’s what happened with EtherPad aka the real-time collaborative text editor. A few hours ago the AppJet and the Google PR Team announced the acquisition of AppJet (the company and technology behind EtherPad) by Google. EtherPad launched about a year ago by 3 guys including two ex-Googlers. The people behind EtherPad created a prototype solution that made collaborative work/writing really real-time making Google Docs look obsolete.

I remember using EtherPad quite a lot of times since the day it launched. I only had the chance to use the free edition and I have to say it was enormously handy, most of the times being a time-saver. There were times when EtherPad was the first thing that crossed my mind while Google Docs was second. Over the last year it also got prettier with more attractive buttons, lists and colors. However it did not have as many features as Google Docs have but the real-time-thing just blew my mind away. Real-time back then was something beyond the web’s status quo. People had in mind that you have to ask for something to get something. It was hard to think you could get something while not having asked for something.

Another interesting aspect of this acquisition is that

the EtherPad team will continue its work on realtime collaboration by joining the Google Wave team

Well, I am guessing Google Wave will change the world after all. Although Google Wave is responsible for a piece of the real-time collaboration today’s status, it definitely needs better user interface/experience and a whole bunch of new features. Probably user experience almost overcoming our current cognition and features that will knock our door even if we are not expecting anyone. The sure thing is that the web is getting more and more real time and I love it!

So, I am hoping to see Google Wave getting serious very soon.