Microsoft will give a select group of testers an early peek to their Office 2010 software, the follow-up to the successful 2007 version. However, they will be keeping a key development by holding free Web-based versions of programs such as MS Word and MS Excel under wraps a little while longer. This preview indicates that the software is still on track for release in the early part of next year.
This update to the very popular desktop publication software is Microsoft’s move to add more ways for people to work simultaneously on documents, organize their e-mail and edit videos and photos, among other changes. And for the first time, Microsoft is adding free companion versions that run in a Web browser. The Office 2010 Web programs will be Microsoft’s first real attempt at an online office package. In 2007, Microsoft launched something called Office Live Workspace, which let people view and comment on documents, but it lacked tools for creating and editing files.
The Web version of Office 2010 will be free to consumers, in a version supported by advertising. Microsoft will let companies with long-term Office licensing agreements install the online programs on their servers for no extra charge. Companies will also be able to buy subscriptions to access the programs through Microsoft-operated data centers.
Microsoft has not said how much Office 2010 will cost, only that it will sell five variations on the suite, two for big corporations and three available to consumers and small businesses.
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