Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Microsoft’s next major Office release set for later this year

Published Jan 22nd, 2015 4:50PM EST
Microsoft Office 2016 Release Date
Image: Microsoft Corporation

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Microsoft’s next major version of Office is supposed to launch later this year, according to The Verge, although a firm release date isn’t available at this time.

FROM EARLIER: Video: See what your computer will look like running Windows 10

“We will have more to share on Office 2016 in the coming months, but this suite will remain the comprehensive Office experience you’re long familiar with, best suited for a PC with keyboard and mouse,” Microsoft’s Office general manager Julia White said. “We expect to make Office 2016 generally available in the second half of 2015.”

While Office 2016 is supposed to look and feel similar to Office 2013 overall, the company will make certain user interface changes such as darker themes and bring additional features to users, including a Clippy-like helper.

The publication says the real changes are coming to the touch-friendly Office for Windows 10.

Preview Office for Windows 10 versions are also supposed to be released starting at some point in the coming weeks, with the final version expected to launch later this year. Office for Windows 10 should be similar to Office for iPad, though it’s also supposed to feature special inking support.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.