Microsoft announces the release of Office 2013, a free download packed with new features, from cloud to touch.
Microsoft has officially launched the new Office 2013 suite, making it available immediately for free download as part of the Customer Preview.
Before detailing the various new features of Office 2013, it’s important to note that users with Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be eligible to download it. Anyone else, including those still using Windows Vista or Windows XP, will not be able to try or use Office 2013.
Office 2013 appears to be founded on two key principles: the concept of the cloud and touch.
Spreadsheets, presentations, work or personal documents: everything converges in the “cloud,” thanks to seamless integration with the SkyDrive ecosystem, Microsoft’s storage service.
Everything can therefore be accessed from different devices, wherever you are.
As for the touch concept, significant efforts have been made by the development team to make the application suite highly usable on mobile devices. The future seems increasingly reliant on the use of tablets and smartphones, and thus Office 2013 aligns well with these new habits.
The Ribbon-style interface has indeed been designed not only with desktop PCs in mind but also with the potential of devices used on the go.
It’s no coincidence that a dedicated stylus can be used, integrating seamlessly with Office 2013’s functionalities.
The social world is also prioritized: integration with “Yammer,” the free social network for businesses, is offered. Naturally, as it is now a Microsoft product, the use of Skype is also widely incorporated in Office 2013.
Official prices for the packages that will go on sale in autumn are not yet known, but Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, has listed the three editions that will soon be available:
- Office 365 Home Premium
- Office 365 Small Business Premium
- Office 365 ProPlus.
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