Let’s take a look at all these features one by one:

1. Simple Markup with the new Default view
While track changes and comments greatly enhance your ability to review your document, they often make your document look a bit messy. However, with Word 2013 “Simple Markup” view, you can now easily see the track changes and comments the way you’d like to. The default view keeps your document clean, allowing you to easily locate where the track changes are. Simply click on the red bar, left to the text, and you can see all the tracked changes in the document. To switch back to the previous version of Word, switch to the “All Markup” view. However, if you want to just read the document, without worrying about the track changes, simply switch to the reading mode and get engross in your document without bothering about the markups.

2. Reply to comments and mark comments as ‘Done’
One of the biggest issue while carrying out changes that you receive in the form of comments is that there is no option to voice out your explanation or inform the reviewer about the updates made on each of the original comment. However, Word 2013 offers much stronger in-text editing and tracking options. It allows you to add replies to the inserted comments by simply clicking the ‘Reply’ button in the comment or by right-clicking the comment to insert your feedback. Also, at times, you just want comments to get out of your way but do not want to delete them, as these comments provide useful insights about your article. You can address this in Word 2013 by right-clicking on the comment and marking it as ‘Done.’ This will shrink the comment and fade it into the background.

3. Subtle colors to minimize distraction
Use of bold colors in both track changes and comments are a source of constant distraction, especially when the document has excessive track changes. To minimize distraction and maximize user readability, Word 2013 uses subtle colors that give your document a cleaner look and feel.

4. Communication made easier
Word 2013 makes communication from within your Word documents easier than ever. It allows you to see the picture of the reviewer in all of their comments, so that you can easily communicate with them. With the help of new Person Card that displays icons to get in touch with the reviewer through his/her e-mail, IM, phone, or video, reviewers are now just a click away.

5. Lock your track changes
Word 2013 also enables you to lock your tracked changes and password-protect then so that others cannot turn your changes off or carry out unnecessary changes to your markups.

With all these updates and changes, Word 2013 looks pretty impressive. Did you get a chance to test drive Office 2013 apps? What’s your impression so far?

With the power and aesthetics of Windows 8, Microsoft Office 2013 sports a new look and though the software still runs on the desktops, its touch mode makes it easier for users to  run the software on Windows 8 tablets.

What’s new?

The Office 2013 suite ships in an array of shapes and sizes. This includes Office Home & Student 2013, Office Standard 2013, Office Professional Plus 2013, Office Home & Business 2013, Office 365 University, Office 365 Small Business Premium, Office 365 Midsize Business, Office 365 Enterprise & Government, and Office 365 Home Premium.

The Office 2013 and Office 365 versions basically differ in their functionalities. The Office 2013 version is all about office applications that you are already familiar with. These include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. However, on the other hand, Office 365 is a subscription-based package that can be shared across multiple devices in a particular setup. For example, for $99.99 a year, you can access different Microsoft applications on up to five different devices at the same time. This includes your Macs and tablets also. To make the deal attractive, Microsoft is offering free 20 GB of SkyDrive online storage along with 60 minutes of international Skype calls.

Pricing

In the U.S., Microsoft Office 2013 desktop packages will range from $139 to $499. The subscription price for the Office 365 versions has been kept between $3.30 and $20 per month.

In a similar attempt, Microsoft has launched a new mobile application that aims to help users that wish to seek help during an event of natural disaster. Known as HelpBridge, the app, which was released on Wednesday, allows you to curate a list of friends and family members who you would like to notify during an emergency by sending an e-mail or a text message, letting them know whether you are safe or need help. HelpBridge also lets you post an emergency message on your Facebook Timeline.

HelpBridge is a simple app that shows up two large red tiles on its main screen, displaying two different message alerts: “I need help” and “I’m OK.” To send the message, you simply need to tap the tile and select the location to share it with your friends and family. A short message can also be entered to personalize the whole conversation. The app is powered by Windows Azure and the ability to specify the location, allows your near and dear ones to track your location, if you are stuck somewhere and need help.

In addition to helping you during a natural disaster, HelpBridge also supports relief and recovery works. Using this app, you can streamline the donation process to send funds and goods to those in need as well as locate a place to volunteer. The app also helps you to easily connect to various popular fund-raising organizations like the American Red Cross, Global Giving, CARE, etc.

Neal Litvack, chief development officer Red Cross, said in a statement, “We are grateful to our partner Microsoft who understands the importance of connecting loved ones after disasters and provides ways for individuals to donate their time and dollars to help those in need through the Red Cross.”

The app is free to download and is available on various mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

Here’s a brief excerpt on Microsoft’s Surface Pro

Surface with Windows 8 Pro is a 64-bit tablet PC with an impressive fusion of power, mobility, and beauty. Combining superior security and manageability features, Microsoft’s Surface Pro is all new, and yet it allows you to do anything you have ever done on your PC. It is available with a storage capacity of up to 12 GB, weighing as less as 2 lbs and measuring only 13.5 mm thin. Surface with Windows 8 Pro is the most advanced way to get maximum productivity that too in style.

What’s more, this newest Surface model by Microsoft boasts a pen that is perfect for jotting down ideas instantly anywhere, anytime. The pen is a creative way to collaborate, edit, and accomplish your signature work.

When it comes to creating, connecting, or sharing something instantly, Surface with Windows 8 Pro is a true genius. It lets you connect to projectors, big displays or screens simply by plugging into the Mini DisplayPort. It further has a full-size USB 3.0, a microSDXC crad slot, and a cover port.

Other attributes like two 720p HD LifeCams, front and rear facing cameras with TruColor, stereo speakers, and microphone makes Microsoft’s Surface with Windows 8 Pro a truly exceptional device.

Offering 48W power supply with 5W USB for accessory charging, this soon to be released product by Microsoft is perfect to carry along.

Currently, Microsoft’s Surface Pro is priced at $889. However, it is unclear whether it will be available at third-party retailers at launch.

Microsoft, who declared a January debut for the tablet, is still cryptic about the final release date. Though Microsoft had been dropping some pretty sizable hints at every nook and corner, the Redmond giant had been pretty secretive about the final official release date for its Surface Pro tablet, which is powered by the full version of Windows 8 operating system.

But rumors are abuzz that specific details about the official release date for Microsoft’s much-awaited device have come out from the Microsoft official stores all around the U.S. And according to the leaked reports, you can expect Microsoft Surface Pro to go on sales in the U.S. markets not before 26^th of January. This is in tune with the Microsoft’s promise way back in November during the official launch of Surface RT.

The Surface Pro is a 64-bit tablet that, unlike Surface RT, will run on full version of Windows 8 and is powered by Intel’s Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor. Let’s take a look at the features that sets this 2-pound tablet apart from the current selling Surface RT tablet:

• 64-bit computing power: Windows 8 Surface Pro is a 64-bit tablet that offers the goodness of 64-bit computing through Intel’s power-efficient Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor. On the other hand, Surface RT is 32-bit only.
• Security: Windows 8 Surface Pro offers same level of security as provided by the corporate Windows laptops. It includes BitLocker that allows you to encrypt your hard drive’s data.
• Mini DisplayPort: The Surface Pro’s 10.6-inch HD LCD display offers 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution which is same as that of some of the desktop’s displays. The high-end display offers brighter, sharper features with vivid colors.
• Pen: The Surface Pro is equipped with a Surface pen, powered by Palm Block technology. This will help create and edit signature work with much ease and style.

And at a price tag of $899, Microsoft Surface Pro promises to be true value for money.

Image credit: Pocket-lint

The update contains a number of small fixes and upgrades that tend to offer “improved call reliability,” and “reliability of presence and chat and call notifications” to the users of the application. The updates include:

• Updated chat keyboard. Improved autocomplete/autocorrect feature is also available now.
• Friends from Windows Live Messenger are included in the People list.
• Includes an option to enable toast notifications for Windows Live Messenger buddies.
• People Hub integration had been temporarily put out of action.

In addition to all these changes, Skype has also fixed some of the issues that were prevailing in the previous release:

• Improved reliability of presence and chat and call notifications when the app is closed.
• Call reliability has been improved significantly.
• Earlier, chat messages were appearing in an incorrect order. However, Chat messages will now appear in correct format.
• Links to some webpages have also been corrected.

Microsoft is putting a great deal of effort in its Skype application so as to create a complete new experience for its Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 users.

Image credit: PaperBlog

Microsoft on Wednesday disclosed its retail plans for 2013 with the announcement of six additional Microsoft retail stores that the company is set to open. According to Microsoft, the new brick-and-mortar sites will open up at

• Beachwood Place, Beachwood, Ohio
• Dadeland Mall, Miami
• The Shops at La Cantera, San Antonio, Texas
• Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco
• City Creek Center, Salt Lake City
• St. Louis Galleria, St. Louis

However, four of the six stores are the former pop-ups and will be turned into permanent locales. These will be the stores in Beachwood, St. Louis, Miami, and San Francisco. The move will help Microsoft regain its #1 position in the computing market. Of late, Apple and Google have become the two big players, pulling down Microsoft to the third position. It will also help Microsoft emphasize on the sale of its own hardware, especially the Surface RT tablet that was launched two months earlier along with the upcoming Surface Pro.

Through its retail store chain, Microsoft wants to personalize the experience of every customer, by offering them recommendations to choose the product that best suits their needs. The stores will also help customers in setting up their PCs and other devices, allowing them to walk out with a product that’s fully furnished and ready to run.

Image credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Surface Pro, a 64-bit tablet, is a complete blend of beauty, style, and mobility. The tablet, available in two different variants, is powered by Intel’s Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB and 128GB storage capacity. Touted as the best tablet for mobile office, Microsoft Surface Pro matches the specifications of most of the ultrabooks in the market. It boasts a powerful 10.6-inch HD LCD display with 1920 × 1080 pixel resolution and a ppi ratio of approximately 208, thus promising brighter display with sharper features and more vivid colors.

Even on the outside, the Surface Pro offers the familiar elegant craftsmanship with Dark Titanium VaporMg casing, dual 2 x 2 MIMO antennas, and an integrated kickstand that makes working on the tablet simple and convenient. Microsoft Surface Pro is Wi-Fi compatible, making it easier for you to share documents, photos, files, and videos with your friends and loved ones. It also supports Fourth version of Bluetooth.  It offers a USB 3.0 port and a video port for connecting your device to projectors, big screens, or LCDs, allowing you to take the center stage at every presentation, meeting, or a get together.

The tablet combines the power of security and manageability that you always expect from Microsoft. BitLocker encrypts your data and keeps your stuff safe. The touch-enhanced applications and your favorite desktop software run quite smoothly on your Surface Pro tablet, allowing you to do all that you are currently doing on your PC. To let you jot down ideas anytime, anywhere, the Surface Pro comes with a Surface pen, which is powered by Palm Block technology. The pen offers you the most stylish way to create and edit your signature work.

So, with all these powerful technical specs and the ability to run your current Windows 7 application, Microsoft Surface Pro offers a seamless startup experience at a reasonable price.

Image credit: e’s Phone Blog

Yes, you heard it right. Microsoft is rumored to give its users a budget-friendly alternative to the costly Xbox console by launching an Xbox set-top box for content streaming services. Known as “Xbox TV”, the new set-top box will cater to the needs of casual gamers, who are looking for more entertainment services rather than hardcore gaming. The “Xbox TV” will allow users to stream live television shows and movies, as well as download casual games.

The low-cost Xbox TV will be an alternative to the fully featured next-generation console and is being designed to compete with products such as Apple TV. It will be powered by Windows 8 operating system and will function as an ‘always on’ device that will just take seconds to boot up.

The Xbox TV will offer users new cross-platform capabilities and will pander to the needs of all those who want their Xbox devices to offer more than just being a gaming console. The console will allow gamer to download casual games, but will not support games like next-gen Call of Duty. The news come from “multiple sources familiar with Redmond’s plans,” who told The Verge about Microsoft’s supposed future strategy. According to Microsoft’s spokesperson, “We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention.”

Microsoft seems to be all set to rebrand its entertainment service. In this pretext, it has recently changed the name of its popular software Zune with Xbox. As for the Xbox TV, reports suggest that it will be available during the 2013 holiday shopping season.

Not just this, Xbox Music will enhance your music experiences through striking visuals. As you listen to your favorite tracks, the corresponding artist’s photograph, biography, and discography will brighten up your, otherwise dull-looking, screen.

Xbox Music hosts some very interesting features, which include:

• Free streaming of music on Windows 8 devices:  Xbox Music allows you to discover and enjoy free music on all Windows 8 supported devices. The global catalog of Xbox Music hosts more than 30 million songs to help users create unlimited amount of playlists on the go.
• Xbox Music Pass: In addition to the ad-supported free version, users can also subscribe to an add-free version for $9.99 per month. Through Xbox Music pass, users will be able to listen to their favorite music whether online or offline, by download it on their devices.
•  Smart DJ: A quick and easy way to create customized playlists of your favorite artist, create music by mixing songs, and discover new favorites. Smart DJ gives you a complete Internet radio experience.
•  Xbox Music Store: A comprehensive marketplace that allows you to purchase your favorite track or album on your Windows 8 based devices.
•  Cloud Storage: Available from next year, it will allow you to store all your favorite music on Xbox Music cloud catalog.
•  Social Music: This will let you share your favorite tracks with friends and family. The service will be available from next year.
•  Platform Expansion: Microsoft plans to expand Xbox Music on other platforms as well.

Xbox Music will be available in 22 countries. Xbox Music will debut on Xbox 360 on October 15 and will roll out with Windows 8 tablets and PCs on October 26.

Image credit: Gigaom