14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is reportedly working on Gemini, a new set of updates for the Office productivity suite that’s very likely to spawn new versions, as well as dedicated builds aimed at Windows 8.1.
According to what seems to be a roadmap for Microsoft’s two-year Office releases, Office is very likely to get not only more Metro apps, but also dedicated iOS and Android versions.
The future of the Office productivity solution basically comes down to three major releases, one of which is very likely to take place this year, at the same time with or soon after the release of Windows 8.1.
Microsoft is currently working on more Metro versions of the apps packed in Office 2013, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with October 2013 very likely to witness their public launch in the Store.
If this is true, Microsoft could use the Windows 8.1 public launch to promote the new Metro Office apps, so expect fall 2013 to be a key moment for the Redmond-based technology giant.
On the other hand, April 2014 is rumored to bring major improvements to Office for Mac and Office RT. While it’s not yet clear whether Microsoft plans to release new full-featured versions of Office or just an update, this could be the company’s latest touches to the productivity suite ahead of the Windows 9 debut, rumored to take place in fall 2014.
Last but not least, Microsoft might again try to stir up interest in the Office suite with another major release in October 2014. Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet writes that Office for iOS and for Android could see daylight just ahead of the Windows 9 public launch, as Microsoft is apparently trying to push its solution beyond the Windows environment.
What’s more interesting is that the leaked Office roadmap only points to “iOS and Android” versions, so it’s not yet clear whether Microsoft is aiming to tackle the tablet market or step into the mobile phone industry as well. Still, a Windows Phone 8 version of Office is already there, so iPhone and Android phone versions would pretty much make sense.
As you can see, Microsoft is working on a major overhaul for the Office suite and, just like Windows, it could get more frequent updates in the next couple of years.
While the company remains completely tight-lipped on the subject, expect the first Office overhaul sometime this year, most likely after the Windows 8.1 launch.