Microsoft Shifts Main Office Product to the Cloud

Computerworld: On Monday, Microsoft unveiled a beta release of the next version of its Office software. CEO Steve Ballmer explained that while Microsoft will release a desktop version of the software, the company’s focus is shifting to the cloud-based version, marketed as Office 365. “This is the new generation of Office, where it is a service first,” said Ballmer.

The new Office now accepts touchscreen input, and two applications from the suite–OneNote and Lync–have been redesigned in the Windows 8 Metro style. Office 2013, the desktop version, will continue to be sold with a traditional license; Office 365, the cloud-based version, will require a subscription.