MicrosoftOffice2010
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InstallFree Nexus offers cloud-based Office to iPad
It's not easy for iPad owners to edit and share native Office 2010 apps on their tablets. Since Microsoft hasn't released an iPad version of Office, Office users must choose between App Store alternatives and online services like Onlive Desktop. Customers looking for a new service should take a closer look at the web-based InstallFree Nexus. Nexus uses virtualization to serve up Office 2010 to customers and is compatible with the iPad's mobile Safari browser. Besides editing, the service also lets customers store and share files using third-party services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Office 365. Because it is a web app, Nexus is available across different desktop and mobile platforms. InstallFree Nexus will come out of beta and launch publicly in August. When it launches, Nexus will offer both a free, basic subscription and a paid premium plan. The basic service will provide LibreOffice for document management, Microsoft Office file viewing and third-party file storage options. The premium account will give customers all the features above, along with a subscription license to Microsoft Office 2012. It'll cost US$5 a month for academic users and $20 a month for all other users. If you sign up now for the service, you will receive a free 60-day subscription to the premium version. [Via CNET]
Microsoft Office becomes first non-Metro application within Windows Store
You knew it was going to happen, but Microsoft Office 2010 has officially taken roost in the Windows Store, which is part of Microsoft's next-gen OS known as Windows 8. What makes its arrival noteworthy, however, is the fact that the productivity suite marks the first of the traditional desktop applications available in the digital storefront. Integration leaves much to be desired, however, as you can't actually make the purchase within the Windows Store. Instead, users are kicked over to Microsoft's website, where they're prompted to choose between different editions of Office, which range in price between $119 and $499. In other words, the latest "inclusion" is little more than a shortcut rather than a cohesive shopping experience. Still, if you like the idea of a full-fledged desktop productivity suite and LibreOffice simply won't cut the mustard, it's yet one more opportunity to plunk down some cash.
OnLive Desktop migrates to Windows Server 2008, sidesteps licensing concerns?
Just this time last month, we reported that OnLive was in hot water with Microsoft over the company's ostensible lack of proper licenses for its remote virtualization software -- you know, the app that gave Android and iOS users free access to Windows 7 and Office 2010. Just recently, OnLive Desktop transitioned to Windows Server 2008 R2, and while neither company has confirmed suspicions, the move may be sufficient to satisfy the licensing requirements for both the operating system and Microsoft Office. Due to their similar foundation, most consumers are unlikely to notice the difference with the Aero theme active, and while the Windows 7 virtual keyboard is no longer available, OnLive has already replaced it with a mobile-inspired alternative. Let this be a lesson, kids: it helps to play by the rules -- especially when there are plenty of loopholes.
New Hotmail, Microsoft Office 2010 available now
Just a quick note for those of you who have yet to adopt Open Office (or have yet to give up on being productive altogether). Microsoft Office 2010 is available right now for Windows 7 / Vista / XP users. Right this instant. As you read this. It has entered "the realm of the real," as it were. Depending on your needs and your budget, you can pick up one of various flavors: Home and Student (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for $150), Office Home and Business (all of the above, plus Outlook for $280), or Office Professional (adds Access and Publisher for a cool $500). If that weren't enough for you, it also looks like Hotmail (remember that?) got some massive improvements with Office Web App integration, new attachment limits up to 10 GB using SkyDrive, and more. What are you waiting for? Check out the source links to get started.
