Microsoft Office 2016 Touch Preview apps for Windows 10 are now available to download, complete with touch optimized functions and the ability to work across tablets and phones. Word, PowerPoint and Excel apps are included as part of this Preview.
Windows 10 is Microsoft’s effort at bringing in a harmonious or universal OS for all its range of devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones of all shapes and sizes. This of course called for a similar take on apps for the OS as well, and in that bid the Windows maker has released Word, Excel, and PowerPoint which are “available for technical preview on PCs, laptops and tablets running the Windows 10 Technical Preview.”
Microsoft says that the new apps have been optimized for touch based use, and have been designed to work well on small screen devices like your mobile phone or tablet, and even a laptop and tablet hybrid like Surface. “As universal Office apps, they truly are the same app across device size, providing a consistent way for independent software vendors and developers to extend and integrate with Office apps,” says Microsoft. As for the OneNote and Outlook apps, the two have been held back for reasons unexplained, even though Microsoft had earlier announced the two as part of the package that has been released today.
Available for download right now as previews, Microsoft says that the apps will come bundled with Windows 10 phones and small tablets for free. As for the desktop suite, which will be called Office 2016 too (but for desktop) as per the Xbox maker, it will retain the comprehensive experience we have come to know with earlier suites for the desktop platform where the interface will be best suited for use with a keyboard and mouse. “We have compelling new experiences coming as part of this Office suite,” says Microsoft, but no details are mentioned. Office 2016 is expected to be released for consumers by the second half of 2015.
It was roughly two months back where Microsoft made available Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as free downloads for the iOS and Android platform, giving iPhone and Android users the ability to edit documents as well.
(Download: Word / PowerPoint / Excel)
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