Office 2008: PowerPoint + iPod, new features
updated 05:40 pm EST, Tue November 27, 2007
Office 2008 features
Microsoft's Mac Business Unit has updaed the Office 2008 Sneak Peek site, unveiling a few new features from PowerPoint and Word. PowerPoint 2008 now allows users to export slideshows directly to iPhoto in either PNG or JPEG format, which the company intends for users to be able to upload to their iPods so they can bring their presentations with them, without requiring a computer. Apple Remote support has also been introduced, allowing presenters to make use of the small six-button remote in PowerPoint. Word 2008's Notebook Layout View has been improved, providing greater flexibility for idea management. Users can customize their workspace background with different images, and color-coded tabs can be used to ensure efficient note-taking.
Office 2008 for Mac requires an Intel, G5, or G4 computer rated at 500MHz or faster, with Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later. For an in-depth look at Office 2008's key features, see our first and second glimpses into what Microsoft has released thus far.
Some good stuff
11/27, 06:54pm reply
It seems that the MBU is doing some great stuff. I love the fact that they're using Mac only technologies to make Office 2008 a a better product. It would be so easy for them to just do a straight port and count the cash. Three cheers.
coldfusion1970
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Joined: Nov 2004
whooptie
11/27, 09:08pm reply
fricken doo
Herod
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Joined: Jun 2007
Office 2008 beta
11/27, 10:29pm reply
I hope the final version is better than the beta. I have seen both PowerPoint and Word files crash multiple times and ACTUALLY DELETE the crashed file from the hard disk so that it cannot even be found with disk recovery tools—a complete NO NO even for a beta.
rocky2
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Joined: May 2001
User interface
11/28, 01:16am reply
I would be happy if they took advantage of the current pro interface in Apple's Final Cut Studio line of products. Aqua like interfaces give me headaches.
ApeInTheShell
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Joined: Nov 2002
re: Office 2008 beta
11/28, 06:49am reply
Thats the very definition beta software. If it was ready for prime time Microsoft would be shipping it.
coldfusion1970
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Joined: Nov 2004
Re: beta
11/28, 09:26am reply
I hope the final version is better than the beta. I have seen both PowerPoint and Word files crash multiple times and ACTUALLY DELETE the crashed file from the hard disk so that it cannot even be found with disk recovery tools—a complete NO NO even for a beta.
Um, what would be acceptable for a beta? And did you report these bugs so they do get squashed? Amazing how people complain about the quality of released software being beta-quality, now they're complaining about the betas.
And, someone should point out, so I elect myself, that it's been reported in several places that Leopard has the exact same problem with moving files (hey, maybe Office's problem was that you were using it on Leopard?). Oh, but that, I'm sure, doesn't count, because everyone knows you shouldn't move files between volumes, and it's only an OS, they aren't going to be perfect. (As opposed to MS products, where everyone always expects perfection - I guess from their wonderful track record).
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
re:Some Good Stuff
11/28, 09:42am reply
I see a lot of imitations from iWork 08... I hope they are implementing a good synch for iPhone and Entourage's full functions at least.
Tanker10a
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Joined: Jan 2003
re: whooptie
11/28, 03:24pm reply
Hmmmm... bringing my iPod/iPhone to a presentation rather than lugging in my laptop. Yeah, that's worth a whopptie-fricken-doo.
Robb
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Joined: Feb 2000
Re: whooptie
11/28, 04:00pm reply
Hmmmm... bringing my iPod/iPhone to a presentation rather than lugging in my laptop. Yeah, that's worth a whopptie-fricken-doo.
I believe you can do that with Keynote too. Yet many people have been begging apple to build a Keynote presentation module for the iPod so they could do what you mentioned. But Apple wants to keep the iPod just an iPod (and, apparently, a wifi access device, but not a mail device) so they haven't done it.
Maybe they'll get around to it for the iPhone, which they target more as a business type of thing (and with bluetooth, you could just sync it up to the projector and not even have to plug it in .... oh, wait, that would require apple to put in more than just headset functionality).
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001