by Edward
28 April 2009 07:24
Microsoft's next version of Office will be ready for users from 2010, but though probably not in conjunction with the Windows 7 operating system.
The timing for when it will be available, will differ for big businesses and individual consumers, and also for people who buy packaged software versus those who choose to download it.
Some industry observers had expected the new version of Office to be ready for a 2009 release, but Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer extinguished that rumour at a meeting with analysts in February.
Microsoft Office 2010 - previously known by code name "Office 14", will include slimmed-down versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote that let people create and edit documents in a Web browser.
Microsoft did not say whether PC users would have a chance to test a more polished beta version before the official release.