14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced this morning that it would launch the new Office 365 in the first quarter of 2013, but the company continues to brag about the refreshed product by calling it “the best Office ever.”
While some users had the chance to get a taste of the new Office thanks to some pre-release versions rolled out by Microsoft, the company says that Windows 8 users will clearly enjoy it thanks to its wide array of features.
“The new Office has a fresh, touch friendly design that works beautifully on Windows 8 and unlocks modern scenarios in social, reading, note-taking, meetings and communications. We are proud to achieve this milestone and are eager to deliver this exciting release to our customers,” Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Office Division, said in a blog post.
Office 365 will be released to the general public in the first quarter of 2013, while enterprise customers should receive it in the next service update, starting in November through general availability.
“Thank you to the millions of people who have been testing early releases of the new Office. We are grateful for your support. Your invaluable feedback has helped us make the new Office the best Office ever,” Koenigsbauer added.
Besides the fact that it will launch the new Office with a subscription-based service, Microsoft will also offer a free version of the suite to all Windows RT tablet buyers.
Since Office won’t be released before October 26, Microsoft will initially offer a preview version of the product, while the full version is scheduled to be delivered to all buyers via Microsoft Update as soon as it sees daylight in early 2013.