Microsoft Office 2010 to be free online

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Office 14 renamed and available as ad-supported web verison

MS Office
Microsoft Office 2010 looks set to be online for free

We knew Microsoft was almost ready to lift the lid on the next version of its Office suite of software, but we hadn't expected the surprises that appear in the offing.

According to reports in the US and Japan, the next iteration will not be called

Office 14

, as had been expected, but will instead go by the name Office 2010.

Online ads

Moreover, it will also be delivered as a web-based set of tools like Google Documents that will be free to use and supported by advertising on the same pages.

It is expected that traditional, boxed versions of the software will also go on sale, but that those will come with monthly fees or charges based on how much they're actually used.

So far, none of this is official, but we'll bring you the lowdown just as soon as Redmond lets the cat out of the bag.

J. Mark Lytle

J Mark Lytle was an International Editor for TechRadar, based out of Tokyo, who now works as a Script Editor, Consultant at NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. Writer, multi-platform journalist, all-round editorial and PR consultant with many years' experience as a professional writer, their bylines include CNN, Snap Media and IDG.