New features in the Mac release include an updated user interface that uses ribbons, support for Retina Display, and new sharing features for Office documents.
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Along with cloud-based co-editing, MIcrosoft also introduced several new apps including Sway, a program to create multimedia stories and presentations. Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system, for instance, is being billed as “Windows as a Service” to reflect a continual, cloudlike update cadence.
Dubbed as the Microsoft Office 2016, it comes with various new features to enhance the overall user experience.
Microsoft Office 2016 is now available for download for Office 365 subscribers, according to Life Hacker.
Microsoft has also added a lot of functionality targeted at business, such as the new Office 365 Planner.
The new Office suite puts a much bigger emphasis on collaboration than ever before.
The new Office suite is focused on connecting users, real- time co-authoring being provided in Word, PowerPoint and OneNote desktop software, including real-time typing in Word that lets you see others’ edits as they make them. The success of that feature relies on people using Office 2016, which means it’s in Microsoft’s interest to get more people onto Office 365. While the test version of the productivity suite was free, this isn’t true for the final release: You either have to pay upfront or purchase an Office 365 subscription. It’s not clear when the deal will end, either, though it seems unlikely that Microsoft will keep it around forever. Documents are therefore stored on OneDrive which allows multiple users at once to work on a document.
Skype for Business is an online instant messenger and communication tool available through Office 365.
Office 365 Groups bring a further team element to the table as part of the new Outlook 2016 client app and it is also available on mobile devices via a dedicated app. This allows companies to organize teams like never before and designate content depending on the team members.
Office 2016 may be made to be cross-platform but it’s designed to pair with Windows 10. Microsoft has been pushing for subscription models and wants to offer long term services to customers with monthly or yearly billing.
Office 365 Personal (For One User – One PC + One Tablet + One Phone) is priced at Rs 3,299 per annum.
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Microsoft says Planner will be available in preview to Office 365 First Release customers starting next quarter.
