The NewsDemon Blog

Unveiled on USENET earlier this week, the new Microsoft Office 2013 will not be available to users who are still running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or using a Mac. The new software will limit availability to users running Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Other requirements for the new Office software, as revealed on the Microsoft TechNet site, include a 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM for 32-bit, 2GB RAM for 64-bit, and 3GB disk space.

The software will also feature touch capability. For example, OneNote will feature touch capability, while only certain aspects of some programs will have touch capability. Of course, to use any touch features you must use a device that is touch-enabled. You’re able to turn the touch feature on and off, too. When it’s on, certain aspects of the program will become larger to make touch easier to use.

The new software will also allow cloud-based file storage through SkyDrive.  What’s more, while Office 2013 will not be available for OS X users, an update to Office for Mac 2011 will include SkyDrive cloud compatibility. The company also announced that the new Office version will work in its full form with tablet devices rather than releasing a scaled down version of the full version.

Keeping up with the latest advancements in the technology and computer consumer industries, the new cloud feature and touch capability should go over nicely with consumers. However, some see limiting availability to Windows 7 and 8 users as a gamble by the company hoping to get users to switch to more recent operating systems.

As with any new announcement affecting the technology or computer industry, especially when it deals with a consumer product, several discussions of the topic are sure to be found in the various related Usenet newsgroups. Usenet boasts a vibrant tech community, many members of which are active participants and innovators in the industry.