Microsoft's Office 15 enters Technical Preview phase

Microsoft has announced the beginning of its Office 15 Technical Preview Programme.

Office 15, the codename for the next edition of Microsoft Office, will be shown to a select group of customers under non-disclosure agreements, who will provide feedback ahead of the product's release.

"Office 15 is the most ambitious undertaking yet for the Office Division," said Office vice president of development PJ Hough in a blog post.

"With Office 15, for the first time ever, we will simultaneously update our cloud services, servers, and mobile and PC clients for Office, Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, Project, and Visio.

"Quite simply, Office 15 will help people work, collaborate, and communicate smarter and faster than ever before."

The Office 15 Technical Preview Programme is now full to capacity, but the software will enter public beta this summer.

Microsoft will also release its next operating system Windows 8 later this year. Office 15 is expected to include exclusive features for the tablet version of the OS, though this is yet to be divulged.

> Microsoft Office apps 'coming to Apple's iPad'

Watch an introductory video to Windows 8 below: