Microsoft Deploys Mobile Computing Features on New Office Version

Microsoft will soon retail its in-house tablet computer Surface and the company is making sure that the brick will be supported by its internal product lines, foremost of which is the hugely successful Microsoft Office productivity suit.

The software giant said on Monday that the new Office has been overhauled in the same manner that Windows got a complete make over with the new Windows 8.

The new Office edition, according to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, can now be manipulated by touch strokes on a screen monitor and users working on files will be able to access their documents via the cloud storage.

"This is the most ambitious release of Office that we have ever done," Mr Ballmer was reported by The Associated Press (AP) as saying in San Francisco on Monday, echoing his earlier characterisation of the re-engineered Windows operating system.

The redesign, it appears, was focused on luring mobile users to try out the new product after years of being pampered by Google Documents, the web-based productivity software from the Internet giant.

The new Office, Microsoft said, works well in three computing platforms, meaning users will enjoy seamless working experience on the suite while performing tasks on their work station, on their notebook or even read the same files, maybe do some editing too, on their smartphones and tablet computers.

Working on a specific document is synched so users will be hassled by having to update regularly whenever they work on a PC and then tinker some on their mobile devices, Microsoft said.

Included with the product is the option for an account on Microsoft SkyDrive, indicative of the tech firm's growing thrust to increase its online storage presence following the earlier success of its competitors.

The product will be issued later this year, according to AP, and more details will be provided by Microsoft in the run up to the actual launch, including its retail price for specific platforms.

However, those wanting to try out the new Office can do so by accessing this link: http://office.com/preview, Microsoft said.

Among the more major features of the new suite are 'Inkling' and the Word reading mode.

The former allows for users to directly write on their smartphones and tablets using a stylus, with the new feature mechanically converting their handwriting strokes into electronic fonts.

The latter is Microsoft's way of affording e-reader capability to the Office suite, which makes Word files easier on the eyes when being read on a mobile device.

The product is also configured to establish smooth access on social media services, Microsoft said.