I have the View as HTML and Download option however I do not see the Open in Google Presentations. What's interesting is though that I can't view Powerpoint shows in HTML, when I click the link, Google returns an error message and tells me to download the file instead.

SWFObject is just a JavaScript utility than many sites use for embedding Flash:

adobe.com/devnet/flash/article ...

Google is simply using it to host their Flash. The presentation itself is being handled in Flash, so while it may be Google's new Presentation app, it has nothing to do with SWFObject.

DBPro, you're absolutely right. That was the last thing I added to the post before publishing it in a rush. I've removed that from the post now.

For reference, here's the text I stupidly included and have now removed:

<< The HTML source of this page gives us a clue about the technology being used behind this application:

/**
   * SWFObject v1.5: Flash Player detection and embed – blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/
   *
   * SWFObject is (c) 2007 Geoff Stearns and is released under the MIT License:
   * opensource.org/licenses/mit-li ...
   *
   */ >>

Just sent myself a Powerpoint file to test this out, and I have the "View as slideshow" feature as well.

I think this is very cool, but I doubt this is the Presentation app from Google Docs. This is just a PowerPoint viewer.

I agree with Ionut, its just a viewer. Makes sense to quietly beta out the viewer in stealth mode to ensure that all .ppt formats can really be viewed :)-
..and then finally luanch the b/end Presently app!!

Always slightly scary, in terms of Google account security, to see Google code (the embed HTML part) that's so obviously buggy...

<< I doubt this is the Presentation app from Google Docs. >>

Agreed. But I think this could be the first signs of at least part of it in the wild. After all, why wouldn't Google Presently use this same Flash player to view slideshows?

Probably because it will be built with AJAX.

Hmmm. I disagree. Maybe they'll use AJAX to edit the presentation but I think they'll stick to Flash to view the slideshow. One reason being that it's much easier to create a self-executable file from an SWF than a bunch of HTML, JavaScript & AJAX. And people will want to view their slideshows offline. Not all lecture theaters, meeting rooms and clients have networks or wi-fi access that they're willing to let you share...

I have the link, and I tried it on a PPT I sent myself. It works very well. It's spartan, but very functional.

And I think it's very obvious that this is just a player for Gmail, not the Presentations app we are waiting for. But let's not forget that if nothing else, Gmail just got a new feature!

<< And I think it's very obvious that this is just a player for Gmail >>

Of course. I wasn't suggesting that this is the entire application. I mean, you can't edit presentations or anything! ;-) I was merely suggesting that I think this is just a taster at what's to come. And I do believe it will probably be the player that's used to view the slideshows.

Still waiting.... but not really excited about this one....

<<I think this is just a taster at what's to come.>>
And I think it will taste sweet!!!!

Embedded feature works perfectly well for me, as long as I'm logged in into given account. What is reasonable – that's still my private gmail's attachment.

Do the slides look exactly like they are viewed on MS's PowerPoint?

I am asking because sometimes, PPT presentations get some layout and effects glitches when played with OpenOffice.

For those who don't know, MS offers a free (as in beer) PPT viewer at microsoft.com/downloads/detail ...

<< Embedded feature works perfectly well for me... >>

It works for me now too if I change

   http:// mail.google.com http:// mail.google.com

to

   http:// mail.google.com

(Which should all be without spaces...)

I don't understand how could you embed an attachment which is a part of a mail. Does Google make it suddenly public? That would be something new for mail.google.com.

No really, we're not trying to compete with microsoft. Suuuuure.

I really, REALLY want to get this Flash PowerPoint viewer so that I can embed it on sites of my own – if it displays the presentations faithfully, it'll be a killer.

FYI. I'm now seeing this in my main Gmail account so it's definitely being slowly rolled out to other accounts...

Still waiting for it here...

I can see it now too! :D

As am I