The first technical trial is out now. While the trial is reportedly already full, this means that the beta release is eminent, and more news is expected soon.
Office 15 Beta is coming in a few months
Microsoft Office 15 is expected to be coming to the public in beta format this coming summer. The name, Office 15, is reportedly only a code name for the suite of software that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; there are many guesses as to what the actual name will be, but Microsoft has yet to definitively make an announcement. Following the previous two versions, it is expected that Office 15 will come to be known as Microsoft Office 2013.
Recently unveiled as a technical preview, this major update to Office is creating a lot of buzz. Microsoft Office is the standard for word processing programs across all computing platforms.
This seems to follow with what Microsoft did with its previous Office release. In July 2009, Microsoft released Office 2010 as a technical preview to a specific test group. In November of that year, Microsoft launched the public beta, and the final version of Office 2010 was ready in April 2010 and released via retail in June of that year.
No specific date or even month has been set yet for Microsoft Office 15 Beta. However, when looking at the precedent set by the previous version of office, it seems that Office 15 Beta should be coming sometime in May or June. A finished product would be expected then by November, and the newest Office Suite should be ready around the coming new year.
How Office 15 is Different
Not many details are available presently in regards to Office 15. It is being billed as the most ambitious release from Microsoft office ever. What Office 15 will really be won’t be known for some time yet.
It seems exciting, however, as it may will incorporate the cloud service, Office 365, and software for both personal computers and mobile devices. Many are excited that Office, Office 365, Visio, SharePoint, Exchange, Lync and Project may all be connected together across many platforms.
Additionally, Microsoft Office 15 will most likely not work with the Windows XP operating system. While the OS is still incredibly popular, it is a decade old. Windows XP will be retired by Microsoft in only a couple years.
The Windows 8 connection
Many analysts suspect that the newest version of Microsoft Office will roll out alongside Windows 8 and the very much anticipated Windows 8 tablets. This strategy would resemble the release of Office 2007 and Windows Vista concurrently in November 2007.
It is unknown if Microsoft has this in mind at this time. This strategy could be helpful in boosting sales of the Windows 8 equipped tablets that are expected to come to market this fall.
How testing works
Those testing Office 15 are invited by Microsoft. These testers are most like bound by a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits them about giving any information about Office 15 to the press, or anyone for that matter. This is designed to help stop inevitable leaks.
Testing helps to work out the very earliest bugs before the Beta edition is released. Additionally, these tests are aimed at reducing any issues before the public has access to the release. This process will hopefully ensure that the release is in top condition before it is available for paying consumers.
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