Microsoft has finally unveiled the touch-version of Office destined for the future Windows 10 phones and small RT tablets which are primarily used with a touchscreen.
Microsoft claims the new Office touch version, which even includes Outlook e-mail, will offer a nearly perfect experience on all devices.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will all be standard applications included in Windows Phone 10. All of the applications will be updated with a new UI that will feature a formatting ribbon that is currently found in the desktop counterparts.
Word will have a familiar look and open into the recent documents like it has done in the past. But, the application will have improvements allowing the user to view their documents in the manner they are familiar with. There will be a page layout mode that will be essential to editing. A new “reflow mode” will optimize the view of the document for a phone or tablet.
PowerPoint will also receive an update to the UI and a robust ribbon for editing. The new application will be designed to utilize the power of newer devices and feature smooth animations and transitions from even the most robust presentations. For those that like to share their work, Microsoft’s new Office suite for Windows Phone will allow sharing with Miracast support and wireless printing. These will be built-in natively into each application.
Although not much was shown of the new Outlook, it will be a universal app that be identical across all Windows platforms. Outlook for Windows Phone will be running a full version with all the robust features that you would find on PC. Like Work and Excel, Outlook will also have a formatting ribbon that will allow for easy editing. A new addition to the app will be the ability to swipe left with delete an email or to swipe right to flag an email. This will make management of email simpler. Naturally, the email will be synced across all platforms, making the experience seamless.
Unfortunately we only got a small taste of what touch Office will be like but we"ll no doubt learn much more soon.