While most eyes are on the upcoming Windows 8.1 and all the enhancements it is rumored to bring, Microsoft is also putting in some hard work on upgrading its Office suite of productivity software.
Some know it as Office Blue — others call it by its codename, Gemini.
But this much is a given that a major Office upgrade is heading our way this summer. In fact, Microsoft itself has confirmed the “Blue” project in a short statement a couple of weeks back, saying that it is planning to roll out some major improvements to its products and services in the near future.
As is customary by now, Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet is keeping a close eye on how the Office development is coming along, and the latest according to her is that the new upgrade could hit store shelves as early as June or July this year.
Heavens to bitsy, that’s just around the corner!
No further details are available right now, but there is speculation that Microsoft is keen to upgrade both Office 365 and Office 2013 — however, the subscription service looks like it will be the first to get these new improvements.
Word is also strong that the Office Gemini project will pave the way for a bunch of new versions of the productivity suite, more specifically iOS, Android and Linux builds.
And of course, a completely touch-optimized version for Windows 8 cannot be ruled out either.
Nothing from Microsoft on this new territorial expansion, but there is a fair chance that Office (in its traditional application form) could very well expand beyond Windows soon after the next year rolls in.
