Microsoft announces Office app store
Unlike previous versions of Microsoft Office, the newly announced Office 2013 is different in many ways, its touch UI being one of the biggest differentiators. However, one of the most unique aspects of the new productivity suite include support for web based add-ons that users can install and enhance their core Office experience. To further the development, Microsoft has opened a new Office app store from where users will be able to see and buy these add-ons without having to worry about security issues.
Interestingly, Microsoft touts that users won’t need to go through their IT departments to load individual add-ons for Microsoft Office applications. Due to their web based nature they will automatically sync-up when one logs through a Microsoft account when one changes a computer.
Microsoft believes even developers will benefit from this model as they will have complete control over how they use licensing information in their applications. It will keep 20 percent of the revenue and the rest will go to the developers. The app store already has few big apps with the likes of LinkedIn for Outlook and Merriam-Webster Dictionary flanking the store. Obviously the pickings are slim at the moment but one has to note that the Office Preview itself is a beta product, so one can expect the breadth of applications to grow in the Office app store.
