Microsoft to offer Office on-demand

Microsoft has moved into the software-on-demand market, as the it announces it will offer customers a subscription edition of the Office suite.

Codenamed Albany, the all-in-one subscription service will include the Home and Student version of Microsoft Office 2007, the Windows Live OneCare security software and a variety of Microsoft's other free software, including Live Mail and Messenger.

Microsoft has to yet to reveal when the service will launch, how much it will cost and whether it will be available in the UK. A spokesperson for Microsoft UK was unable to comment at the time of publication.

Microsoft is currently testing Albany in a limited beta trial. The company claims it will ease the hassle for consumers looking to keep their software fully up-to-date.

"Albany is not the next version of Microsoft Office; it's just another way to get the current version plus other software and services that consumers consider indispensable for getting the most out of their PC," said group product manager, Bryson Gordon.

"With the subscription model, when the next release of Microsoft Office comes out, Albany customers with an active subscription will automatically get an upgrade to this version - at no extra cost, as part of their subscription."

Office 14 is expected to arrive in 2009.

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