Windows 8
Windows 8 includes a new store known as the Windows store that can contain a variety of apps such as photos, news, sports etc. It provides more efficient system of file management due to a new and improved taskbar. It is claimed to have higher level of efficiency than its predecessors and counterparts in terms of speed, switching action between apps, security and power usage. Windows is suitable for both keyboard and touch users. Another important element of windows 8 is its ability to sync files with the cloud thus enabling the user to access files from everywhere.
Microsoft Office 2013
The latest version of Microsoft office has brought with itself metro-like appearance, new licensing scheme and touch tools, enabling tablet-friendly attributes. Along with the updated versions of MS Word, Excel and Outlook, the company has also launched certain new versions of the office servers, namely Exchange, SharePoint and Lync. However, presently, Microsoft office 2013 is supported by windows 7 and 8 only. There are a variety of Office 2013 versions available for personal or business purposes such as Office 365 Home Premium, Small Business Premium and ProPlus. New versions of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote applications provided in Office Home and Students 2013 RT have also been enabled.
Innovations
The screen is fully enabled with touch features to select, zoom or type content. Moreover, applications that provide touch-first facilities on the tablet and radial menu option such as that in OneNote have been designed to facilitate ease of access. The application, OneNote unifies all devices such that the same piece of data can be accessed across all devices. Notes prepared using any of the features such as touch-tools, keyboard or stylus can be mixed together as one data form. Another special feature is the stylus that can be used for creating content, taking notes and for accessing various features. Handwritten mails get auto-converted to text and these can be painted or erased with ease. Furthermore, Office 2013 is enabled with the special Read-Mode option facilitating a virtual and user-friendly reading system imitating real life experience with added benefits of the electronic medium like zooming. Touch tools can be used to turn pages of the document. Also, a new feature called the Presenter View has been designed for Microsoft PowerPoint. It shows a glance of the next or upcoming slide as well as the current slide, presentation time and speaker notes, all in one go. With this 82 inch touch screen it becomes possible to carry out meeting, presentations and lessons more efficiently due to its multi-touch facility and stylus-sensitive displays.
Cloud-based services
One of the most distinct features of the software is that all the contents get auto-saved to SkyDrive and therefore it’s available across the tablet, PC and the phone as well. These docs are available also while working offline getting synced when reconnected. Therefore, all the files including the most recently used ones are available across all other devices. The last left off files or application are remembered and marked for the user to quickly access at just one click. The user can subscribe and stream the full-featured applications online which will enable him to access office even on being away from his computer. It is available for subscription via cloud-based services. There are added facilities and services provided with subscription such as news, upgrades, extra storage, multiple installs etc.
Social Networking
In this new office- version, we can find pre-installed skype software. Skype can be integrated with the new application of Lync. Its subscription comes with 60 world minutes of skype for monthly usage. It provides calling and messaging facilities. To keep the users updated about their contacts at all points of time, this version of Microsoft office has enabled the People Card feature. It will help generate information in the form of pictures, status changes or updates and activities on Facebook and Linkedin. It offers efficient connectivity options on SharePoint such as embedding pictures, videos or news feed as well as other activities such as following people, documents, teams and sites. Furthermore, it comes with a pre-installed Yammer software, which is a safe, secure and private social network platform for businesses and also supports integration with Microsoft Dynamics and SharePoint.
Reviews
Touch screen features do not bring any excitement to the non-touch users. Furthermore, to their disgust quite a lot of space has been devoted for these features. Some people feel that the changes are brought about as a compulsion instead of any serious intention for making improvements. However, this new product has received several positive feedbacks too due to its several attractive attributes such as speed, accessibility, touch friendly system and most importantly the cloud-based services. Also, successful implementation of productive and utilitarian applications in metro has brought the company many laurels.
Works Cited
“Meet Windows 8.” Windows. windows.microsoft.com. n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.
“Microsoft unleashes Office 2013 Preview with Windows 8 Metro touches.” Microsoft. CBS
Interactive. 16 Jul. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.
“Microsoft unveils the new office.” News Centre. Microsoft.com. 16 Jul. 2012. Web. 10 Mar.
2013.
