Hasta La Gadget!

Those rumors that Microsoft was reportedly testing an Outlook app for Windows RT devices have been reinforced. A couple of people around Microsoft’s campus were spotted using the Microsoft Outlook desktop app on their Microsoft Surface devices. Unlike those previous rumors however, Microsoft Outlook is said to be coming to consumers later this year, with a release date speculated to be around the Fall.

The Outlook RT app was spotted by Windows SuperSite’s Paul Thurrott, who says that the app is in “shipping form”. Many sources have stated that Outlook RT was not initially released with Windows RT devices due to two issues. One issue was a firmware bug with the ARM chipset that would result in constant crashes and hangups with Outlook. The second issue was related to excessive battery drainage. Both issues are reportedly fixed.

A source has also told ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley that Outlook RT has become a “top enterprise request”, and has become a top priority for Microsoft’s Office team. When Outlook RT becomes available to the public, it won’t be released for free, or bundled with future Windows RT devices. You will most likely have to subscribe to Office 365 for the app. Outlook RT is also expected to be rolled out during Microsoft Office’s Gemini update, as well as the release of Windows 8.1 Blue.

It’s also speculated that once Outlook RT is finally rolled out to the public, the chances of Microsoft Office becoming available to iPad devices will drastically improve. The main reasoning for this is because many believed that it would be a terrible move for Microsoft to release Outlook for iPad devices before it released it for its own devices. Once Microsoft releases Office apps for iPads, it could possibly generate $2.5 billion in revenue. In related Windows RT news, be sure to check out our review for Microsoft’s Surface RT.

[via ZDNet]

Microsoft Outlook to reportedly hit Windows RT this year is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Many rail stations in the UK already offer free Wi-Fi to passengers, though the service is generally limited up to 15 minutes of usage. Currently there are 50 London Overground stations that offer free Wi-Fi for 60 minutes, with 6 additional stations coming online by June. Payment packages for longer usage are also available. Microsoft has inked a new deal with The Cloud, resulting in free unlimited Wi-Fi service. The service is expected to be extended as long as the sponsorship deal with The Cloud and Microsoft continues.

The deal goes in effect from today and will last until the 24th of April. London Overground and stations run by First Great Western and Greater Anglia will benefit from this deal. When they sign in, users will be shown Microsoft branding on the landing page. The entire deal has been done to promote Microsoft’s Office 365 suite. Users will be able to get more information about the Office 365 suite by simply clicking on a button. The Cloud’s content portal will function as before, offering travel information, Sky News and Sky Sports to users. A clever way to advertise their product isn’t it? Who doesn’t love free and unlimited Wi-Fi!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Might Be One Test Flight Away From Being Ungrounded, FAA Might Remove Reading Device Restriction For Passengers Later This Year,

Microsoft‘s Office president Kurk DelBene teased us with some comments at Microsoft’s TechForum event about possible new applications for Office 365 subscribers. He also hailed the subscription service, and said that the company likes what it sees in terms of users transitioning from licensed Office to the subscription. He also had some things to say regarding touch-based Office.

When talking about the subscription service, he added, “You can even imagine new applications coming out for the subscriptions.” This follows Microsoft’s not-so-subtle push to get consumers to switch from licensed Office 2013 to Office 365, something that many embrace and others denounce. Reports Venture Beat, he reassured consumers that the standalone version isn’t going anywhere, however.

As we reported earlier today, Microsoft has relented to the backlash over Office 2013 licensing and the issue with transferability. The retail license for the software has been altered so that Office can now be transferred to a different computer, such as in the case of buying a new machine if the current one fails.

He also spoke about touch versions of Office, specifically pointing out the OneNote app while talking about Microsoft’s transition toward other similar versions of Office. The transition process, according to DelBene, will let Microsoft “rethink” the Office applications using the desktop versions as a foundation.

[via The Verge]

Microsoft Office’s president Kurt DelBene hints at new Office 365 apps is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft has released a new update for its subscription-based Office program, Office 365, that provides new options geared for business users. There is the new Office 365 Small Business Premium that’s geared towards businesses with about 1 to 10 employees, Office 365 Midsize Business, which is geared towards businesses with 10 to 250 employees, and Office 365 ProPlus, which is included in both the Small Business Premium and Midsize Business package, but is geared towards users who want Office on the go.

Office 365 Small Business Premium offers the user 5 ProPlus licenses that they can use to install Office on their PC or Mac. It also gives you access to the web-based versions of Office products. It includes business-grade email, shared calendars, website tools and HD video-conferencing capabilities. Office 365 Small Business Premium costs $150 per user, per year, which equals roughly $12.50 per user, per month. It’s user-friendly, so you will not need your IT department to help you set everything up.

Office 365 Midsize Business offers the same benefits of Small Business Premium, however it also offers enterprise-quality communication services and collaborates with Exchange Online, Lync Online, and Sharepoint Online. It is user-friendly, and it includes Active Directory integration alongside a web-based administartion console and “business-hours” phone support. It makes managing your huge office a much easier task. The cost is $180 per user, per year, which is about $15 per user, per month.

Office 365 ProPlus, offers 5 licenses to install the Office software on PCs or Macs, and it also allows you to access the Microsoft Office 2013 via the web. You can access your Office 365 from any device, with all of your documents and settings stored in the cloud. It, however, lacks the business-specific capabilities the other packages offer. It’s user-friendly, giving you the tools necessary to update your apps and control various features. Office 365 ProPlus is offered at $144 per user and is meant for businesses who don’t find the other two packages appealing.

Alongside these three new offerings, Microsoft is also keeping its original business offerings for businesses that don’t need the whole package. So for businesses that are satisfied by just using the Office web-based apps, or businesses that only need access to enterprise-grade email, those cheaper options will still be available for you. Businesses can also test-run the new Office 365 business offerings without paying a cent. They can get a feel for the products before they commit to it.

[via Microsoft]

Microsoft releases new Office 365 packages for businesses is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft recently increased the price of its Office Product for the Mac OS. Office for Mac Home and Students now costs $140, which is about a 17% increase from its original $120 price. Office for Mac Home and Business now costs $220, which is a 10% hike from its original $200 price-tag. Microsoft didn’t release a statement about why it increased the prices, but at the same time not a lot of people noticed.

The increase in prices brings the Office for Mac OS software up to the same price-point as Office 2013 for Windows. Also with the price increase for Office for the Mac OS, it looks like Microsoft has also gotten rid of its multi-license products, which is probably a move that’s meant to drive consumers towards Microsoft’s Office 365 subscription service. For $99 a year, or for $9.99 a month, you can subscribe to Office 365 for families, and install Office on up to 5 devices. With the subscription, the user will be given the installation software for Office for Mac Home and Business. For Windows users, you get the installation files for Office 2013.

According to Computer World, the price change for the Mac OS software was most likely increased around January 29th, the same day Microsoft Office 2013 and Office 365 was launched. For Mac owners, if you still want to purchase Microsoft Office for the older price-point, many retailers, like Apple itself, are still selling Office for Mac 2011 at its original price.

Microsoft hiking up the prices of its Mac software, and also its elimination of multi-license software does bring the spotlight to open source projects, like Open Office or Libre Office, who offer programs with the same functions for free. So unless you specifically need the Microsoft Office software for your job or business, there are plenty of alternative, free software that can meet your needs.

[via Computer World]

Microsoft secretly increases the price of Mac Office is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.