A lot is going on with Microsoft regarding your future productivity, but that does not appear to be changing its upcoming offering of a successor to Office 2013.
Here is what we know right now about the upcoming Office 2016, including a forecast for release dates of both preview and final consumer-ready versions.
Office 2016 Consumer Preview Status
An official consumer preview is not currently available, though Microsoft has a small set of Office 365 users who are testing the next version of Office.
In addition, Microsoft is currently testing Office 2016 inside the company.
What this does mean, though, is that a few leaks and screenshots have emerged online. While this is all still very much in the realm of speculation, from those tidbits we can expostulate about upcoming features, which I go into a little further along in this article.
When Will the Final Consumer-ready Version of Microsoft Office 2016 Be Available?
The short answer is the second half of 2015, which is admittedly not all that definite.
Here is some additional context from Microsoft's blog, in reference to the even earlier upcoming release of different version, Microsoft Office for Windows 10 mobile:
"Simultaneously, we are hard at work on the next release of the Office desktop suite that will be called Office 2016. (Unexpected, I know!) We will have more to share on Office 2016 in the coming months, but this suite will remain the comprehensive Office experience you’re long familiar with, best suited for a PC with keyboard and mouse.
We have compelling new experiences coming as part of this Office suite–stay tuned to the Office Blog for more details. We expect to make Office 2016 generally available in the second half of 2015."
Windows 7 or 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 Users Can Get a Free Windows 10 Upgrade!
Is Office 2016 Looking to Pack Small or Large Feature Updates?
With myriad innovations coming down the line with Windows 10, you may expect the full-featured, desktop version of Office to also improve by leaps and bounds, but I am not so sure this will be the case.
Windows 7 or 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 Users Get Free Windows 10 Upgrade!
Those Windows 10 innovations include:
- Everything You Need to Know About Windows 10 and Your Productivity - Check out this dynamic slide show of 10 features that could change how you get work done.
- HoloLens Holographic Goggles and the Future of Microsoft Office - If we do see huge improvements, my guess is it will be in the integration of holographic computing. It is unclear whether this will be available in this next version of Office, but the possibilities are certainly intriguing!
While Microsoft could and often does surprise us, it does not as yet appear that Office 2016 will come with enormous feature upgrades to its core tools.
Some of the new tools may include a "Tell Me Helper" similar to Clippy but this may be only in the free Microsoft Office Online version. The suite may also feature smart image rotation and the option to have a dark interface rather than the traditional, brighter white theme.
As we continue to anticipate Office 2016, you may be interested in checking out tools and tips for current and earlier versions: About.com's Tools and Tips for Microsoft Office 365, 2013, 2010, and more.