The preview for the smartphone version of Microsoft Office for Windows 10 will be appearing later this month. Microsoft is promising a first look at the new version of Office Universal App that is intended to provide the same experience across both tablets and smartphones; and even desktops, albeit with fewer features.
Office 2016, as it will be called on launch day, will provide a touch based interface for Microsoft Office; although it will be substantially different from the version that currently exists on Windows Phone. The design will take cues from the desktop version to stay in line with keeping the experience the same. However, it looks like the ribbon toolbar will be moved to the bottom of the display and modified to suit the reduced amount of real estate.
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These new Office apps will not be built in Windows 10 (unlike the current Windows Phone-Microsoft Office arrangement), which will allow Microsoft to keep them updated without having to push out an OS update. They will, however, still be pre-installed on Windows smartphones.
Those interested in trying the preview will have to first have the Windows 10 for Phones Technical Preview installed on their devices. Office for Windows 10 phones should be available for download through the Microsoft Store by the end of April.
[Source: Microsoft Office Blog, via Ars Technica)
