Microsoft has begun sending invites to the Office Starter 2010 beta program today according to the I Think Different blog.
The invites are the latest clear indication that Microsoft plans to release an Office 2010 public beta shortly. Last week Microsoft sent out an email update to Click-To-Run Technical Preview participants. This news also follows the announcement of other closing Connect groups, such as the fully-fledged Office 2010 Technical Preview group earlier last week.
According to the email:
"All you need to do is use Office Starter 2010 Beta at home over the next few months, and let us know what you think. Office Starter 2010 includes Microsoft Word Starter 2010 and Microsoft Excel Starter 2010, which are great for basic tasks like writing letters, editing your resume, or creating a family budget."
Microsoft confirmed the existence of Office Starter 2010 last month in a company blog posting. Office Starter 2010 is a reduced-functionality, advertising-supported version of Office 2010, available exclusively on new PCs; its goal is to provide new PC owners with immediate exposure to the Office 2010 experience on new PCs right out of the box. Office Starter 2010 will include Office Word Starter 2010 and Office Excel Starter 2010, with the basic functionality for creating, viewing and editing documents, essentially replacing Microsoft Works, with an opportunity to upgrade to a fully comprehensive version of the Office suite.
Image Credit: I Think Different