MS Office 2010 RC: Includes Cloud, 64-bit Technology

The most anticipated Microsoft product since the release of Windows 7 this past October has to be the company's next version of MS Office, Office 2010, which is now nearing its final release. The software suite has now entered the "Release Candidate" (RC) stage, meaning it's very close to the final version.

Office 2010 On Track for June Release

According to reports late yesterday, it would seem that Microsoft has now shipped to early testers a nearly complete "release candidate" edition of its highly anticipated Office 2010. That means the program should be available to home and business users alike on its scheduled ship date in June.

"Microsoft made a release candidate available to members in the technology adoption program (TAP)," a Microsoft representative told the media yesterday. "This is one of Microsoft's planned milestones in the engineering process; however (we) do not have plans to make this new code set available broadly." (Source: cnet.com)

Office 2010 Beta Downloads Hit 2 Million

Thus far, the public has shown its voracious appetite for the Office 2010 beta, which was released in November and quickly downloaded over 2 million times.

Public testing of Office 2010 began last summer when Microsoft released a Technology Preview version in July. However, an even earlier version of that code was leaked in May last year.

Office 2010 Uses Cloud Technology, and 64-bit

While Office 2010 maintains many of the core functions found in Office 2007, including the XML file formats and its unique interface, the most significant change is the addition of browser-based versions of the suite's most popular programs.

Referred to as cloud computing technology, MS Office will also be available online and will feature the popular MS Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint programs. The cloud computing versions will be known as Office Web Apps and will allow people to access their documents and other information anywhere online the web.

Additionally, both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Office 2010 will be offered to consumers. This is the first-ever release of MS Office using 64-bit technology, which will only work on computers capable of 64-bit processors.

Some experts are surprised Microsoft has not made the RC version available to more than just selected early testers. When asked about a public version of Office 2010 RC, Microsoft simply responded, "We have nothing additional to share at this time." (Source: arstechnica.com)