Web-Based Microsoft Office Next Year

Microsoft had promised a Web-based version of Microsoft Office this year, but now it's going to arrive sometime in 2009.

Microsoft had originally hoped to have a preview of Web-based applications for its Office suite available this year, but now it’s going to be sometime in 2009, according to CNET. At the moment less than 1,000 Microsoft employees are testing it, in a project that will last until February.

The company isn’t saying when a beta will be available, but a full release is expected to coincide with the release of the next version of Office, known internally as Office 14. And when will that be? Again, no one’s saying.

There will be two versions of Office in the clouds, one for consumers, the other for business, with consumers able to access it via Office Live. Although no indication of pricing has been given yet, Office Live has free and subscription products. For businesses Office Web Applications will be available through the SharePoint Server. Obviously, users will need to be connected to the Internet to use the Web-based Office