Microsoft releases previews of Office 2016 and Skype for Business
Microsoft has announced the availability of preview versions of its flagship productivity suite, Office 2016, and its unified communications platform, Skype for Business. Previews are intended to give customers and partners an early look at new features and capabilities in upcoming releases, as well as gather feedback and suggestions for improvements.
Office 2016 Preview
The preview version of Office 2016 is designed to deliver a more modern, collaborative experience for users across devices and platforms. Some of the key improvements include:
– Real-time co-authoring in Word, which allows multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously and see each other's changes as they occur.
– A new Tell Me feature in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which helps users quickly find the commands they need by typing what they want to do in a search box.
– A new smart search feature in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, which uses Bing to provide relevant information from the web based on selected text or data.
– A new Clutter feature in Outlook, which uses machine learning to filter out low-priority emails and move them to a separate folder.
– A new Insights feature in Excel, which automatically analyzes data and creates charts and graphs that highlight key trends and patterns.
– A new Data Loss Prevention feature in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which helps prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently leaked or shared by alerting users and administrators to potential risks
The Office 2016 preview is available for desktops and tablets running Windows 7 or later. Users can download it from the Office website or join the Office 365 First Release program to get early access to updates. The preview will be updated periodically until the final release, which is expected in the second half of 2021.
Skype for Business Preview
Skype for Business Preview is the next generation of Microsoft's business communications solution, formerly known as Lync. It combines the familiar Skype user interface with the security and reliability of Lync, as well as new features that enable more effective collaboration and communication. Some of the key improvements include:
- – A new Skype meeting streaming feature, allowing users to stream online meetings to up to 10,000 attendees, who can join from any device or browser.
- – A new PSTN conferencing feature, allowing users to join online meetings from any phone by dialing a local access number.
- – A new cloud PBX with PSTN calling functionality, allowing users to make and receive traditional phone calls through Skype for Business using their existing phone numbers.
- – A new Skype for Business client for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Windows Phone, offering a consistent and intuitive user experience across different devices and platforms
- Skype for Business Preview is available to customers who have Lync Online as part of their Office 365 subscription. Users can sign up for the preview on the Skype for Business website or contact their IT administrator for more information. information. The preview will be updated periodically until the final release, which is expected in the first half of 2021.
Office 2016 Preview:
Microsoft announced the preview of Office 2016 for Windows.
The release is aimed at developers and IT professionals for further testing.
It is part of Microsoft's strategy to provide early access to software for testing and feedback.
The software had been in private preview before the broader release.
Office 365 commercial customers can now access the preview to test the product before broader deployments.
The preview version may not include all the features that will be present in the final product, but customers will receive monthly updates during the testing cycle.
Skype for Business technical preview:
Microsoft also announced the technical preview of its Skype for Business client.
This client is intended to replace Microsoft Lync in enterprise environments.
The goal is to provide a communication experience more similar to the popular Skype service for consumers.
The new client comes with updated features and improvements over Microsoft Lync.
These announcements reflect Microsoft's commitment to engaging with its user base, especially IT professionals and developers, to gather feedback and make improvements before the official launch.