Microsoft is reported to be prepping a new version of its Office for Mac productivity suite for shipping later this year. This will be the first major update for the suite in nearly four years. Now that the new version is apparently on its way, the question remains, will anyone care?
Thorsten Hübschen, the Microsoft executive who oversees Office in Germany, revealed the software giant’s plans at this week’s CeBIT computer industry show in Hanover. German trade publication Computerwoche was first with the news.
Microsoft had disbanded its Mac business unit following the release of Office:Mac 2011 in 2010. Internal reorganization at the Redmond, WA firm led to a renewed push for cross-platform versions of the suite, and Hübschen said the company is already speaking to business customers about the new Mac version.
The lack of attention given Office for Mac in the last four years has led many Mac using business users to explore other possibilities for their needs. Apple completely revamped its iWork suite of apps in an effort to make inroads in the absence of new Office releases from Microsoft.
The question now is, with the release of a new iWork suite, both in a local and online edition, and the availability of other alternatives such as Google Drive’s online Docs apps, will business and even home users care if Microsoft releases an updated Office for Mac?
How about it? Have you been waiting patiently for a new version of Office for Mac, or have you moved on to iWork or another alternative? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
