Microsoft Office 2010 to include free, online versions

Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:53PM EDT

See Comments (9)

Hey, maybe there's something to this Internet phenomenon after all.

Microsoft, after tiptoeing around in the online app space for many months, is finally diving in headfirst in the move from offline software to the web. Office 2010, the next big release of its productivity application suite, in addition to traditional installable versions, is also going to come in an online-only incarnation, similar to -- and a direct response against -- Google Apps.

Microsoft already offers some online services in the form of Windows Live and Office Live, but these are limited to basic collaboration tools (email, calendars, etc.) and building business websites rather than creating and editing documents via a web browser. Office 2010 will mark Microsoft's first serious foray into online productivity.

Early screen shots are promising, and the online versions of Office 2010 -- which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote -- look more feature-filled than I'd imagined they would. Microsoft has said the apps will be stripped down somewhat, which is to be expected of a free product, but so far they certainly don't look like they veer into the simplistic world of, say, the Windows Notepad.

All you'll need to access the online apps is a Windows Live account (which is free) -- though it's unclear whether premium features will be available for users who pay extra. We'll likely find out soon enough: A public beta is planned for release before the end of the year, with final availability in the first half of 2010.

The move is a seriously risky one for Microsoft, of course. Office is perhaps the company's greatest cash cow, and the Wall Street Journal estimates that the company could lose up to $4 billion due to lost sales of the offline version of Office 2010. And yet progress is forcing Microsoft's hand, really. Innovate or die.

As for Office 2010's new features, both the online and offline versions look quite similar to the current Office 2007, but a few key tweaks are in store for users. The Ribbon is going to remain in the picture with a few changes, along with enhancements to the way Office manages printing, tweaking copy and paste to offer users a "preview" of what a pasted object might look like, enhanced photo editing, faster emailing, and upgraded search. PC World has an extensive rundown of the new features here.

Comments on Microsoft Office 2010 to include free, online versions

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  • 1 Posted by burnedware on Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    What? I can't believe that Microsoft would give something for free! Sounds good though.

  • 2 Posted by rogueist on Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Excellent! This is the way Microsoft needed to move to keep it's Marketshare - everyone will flock to use it, as long as you are not FORCED to use Windows to access it. If Microsoft forces everyone to use Windows to access it, then instead of being the saving grace for Microsoft, it will probably be the start of the end of Microsoft.

  • 3 Posted by g_watbite on Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    rogueist, the office suite they are talking about will work on ie, firefox and safari. I can only assume if it works on safari it will work on a mac... Microsoft doesn't much care for linux so don't get your hopes up if you use ubuntu.

  • 4 Posted by aa4mw on Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:02AM EDT Report Abuse

    I have major concerns about the security of my personal information given Microsoft's past history of sloppy security. Sure in THEORY there isn't a lot of difference, but in PRACTICE there is a world of difference! The most obvious sign is that there is essentially no malware on either Linux or Mac OS, but we see a continual barrage of successful exploits on Windows and other Microsoft products. At one time you could argue that lack of market share protected Linux and Mac, but now Linux and Mac split almost 20% of the desktop market and Linux has had over half the server market for years - yet NO successful malware! Why should we expect Microsoft's on-line performance with MY confidential information to be any better?

  • 5 Posted by linuxdad on Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:56AM EDT Report Abuse

    A real big yawn and a shrug, just bypass all of the MS stuff an use Linux. It's so easy and virus free and costs $Zero.

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