Microsoft Preps September 22nd PC Launch For Office 2016
A new version of Microsoft's popular productivity suite is nearing release for Windows users. Yes, we're talking about Office 2016, which incidentally was released to the Mac OS X platform early last month, ending a nearly five-year drought (prior to Office 2016, the last Office release for Mac was in 2011).
Citing a source "close to Microsoft," German-language website WinFuture.de says that Office 2016 is scheduled to launch for Windows exactly four weeks from today on September 22. The forthcoming launch will cover home and professional users, with a SKU for enterprise users coming at a later date.
"On September 22, 2015, we'll release Office 2016 -- with updates for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Skype for Business, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher," Microsoft purportedly stated in a leaked launch note. "The innovation wave continues in Q2 with the release of E5 and Skype for Business, and on-premise servers will follow."
Office 2016 is a desktop release, though it will tap into the cloud to offer users real-time co-authoring capabilities, an important feature upgrade as cloud-based alternatives like Google Docs continue to improve.
Microsoft is including a colorful new theme in Office 2016 similar to what you see on the Mac, iOS, and Android app versions. There will also be a darker theme for those looking for something a little different, The Verge notes.
Pricing has not yet been announced, though as a point of reference, Office Home & Student 2013 runs $140, Office Home & Business 2013 runs $220, and Office Professional 2013 runs $400.
Citing a source "close to Microsoft," German-language website WinFuture.de says that Office 2016 is scheduled to launch for Windows exactly four weeks from today on September 22. The forthcoming launch will cover home and professional users, with a SKU for enterprise users coming at a later date.
"On September 22, 2015, we'll release Office 2016 -- with updates for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Skype for Business, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher," Microsoft purportedly stated in a leaked launch note. "The innovation wave continues in Q2 with the release of E5 and Skype for Business, and on-premise servers will follow."
Office 2016 is a desktop release, though it will tap into the cloud to offer users real-time co-authoring capabilities, an important feature upgrade as cloud-based alternatives like Google Docs continue to improve.
Microsoft is including a colorful new theme in Office 2016 similar to what you see on the Mac, iOS, and Android app versions. There will also be a darker theme for those looking for something a little different, The Verge notes.
Pricing has not yet been announced, though as a point of reference, Office Home & Student 2013 runs $140, Office Home & Business 2013 runs $220, and Office Professional 2013 runs $400.
