Microsoft revamps Office with 'cloud' links

SAN FRANCISCO —Microsoft unveiled next-generation Office software overhauled to stay popular with people using tablets or smartphones to access programs in the Internet “cloud.”

Office was designed “from the ground up” to work in harmony with the Windows 8 operating system to be released by Microsoft in October and work intuitively across the range of devices supported by Windows 8, Ballmer said.

The new Office comes with Microsoft readying its new tablet computer called Surface to take on the iPad, and also seeking to expand in the smartphone market with the Windows 8 platform.

 “Office is designed to be your modern office, it incorporates the best of Windows 8, cloud, social, and new scenarios and the new software was available online at office.com/preview.