Microsoft’s Office developers are busy this year. Office 2016 is released for both Windows and Mac. A new gray theme was also added which perfectly suits the dark colored theme of Windows 10. Microsoft is also offering a free trial of Office 2016 if you are interested in giving it a test run.
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Microsoft is billing Office and Windows 10 as “the most complete solution for doing”.
Microsoft’s exciting next generation collaboration app GigJam is also now available in private preview and it will eventually become a part of Office 365 in 2016.
The delivery of future Office desktop application updates is to change, says Microsoft, so that Office 365 subscribers receive new features and capabilities continuously.
The cloud-powered most recently used documents list allows you to pick up right where you left off in seconds, because it travels with you across your devices whether working in Office Online, the mobile apps or in the 2016 client apps.
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. Microsoft executive Jared Spataro said it’s the first time it’s available in the more powerful stand-alone product. However, with 2016 version, Office 365 would be a changed work ecosystem. It’s not clear when the deal will end, either, though it seems unlikely that Microsoft will keep it around forever. Office 365 Groups are now integrated into Outlook 2016 and can also be accessed through the Outlook Groups smartphone app.
According to the site, once a document is shared, it will be stored in the OneDrive cloud storage of Microsoft.
Another main feature of Microsoft Office 2016 is Skye for Business.
Customers who want to take advantage need to visit the pre-installed Get Office app on Windows 10.
Skype in-app integration across the applications enables users to talk, screen share, video chat and IM directly from the documents. Office 365 subscribers will begin receiving starting next month, while anyone going the retail route to obtain their copy will have to until next year.
The stand-alone software version of Office 2016 costs $179 for Office 2016 Home & Student (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote) and $299 for Office Home & Business (added is Outlook 2016).
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Another feature geared towards collaboration is Office 365 Groups.
