Microsoft shows off Office 15 for Windows 8 on ARM

We know Windows 8 for ARM devices is coming, but for a while now, there was a bit of uncertainty regarding the fate of legacy apps and whether any or all would make it. Microsoft has demoed builds of Windows 8 on ARM devices like tablets and laptops, but it has always been in a controlled environment and they’ve always focused on the Metro UI, rather than any applications. All the rumours can be put to rest now, as Microsoft has pulled the wraps off their Office suite for ARM devices running Windows 8.

The new look!

ARM devices running the next generation of Windows will come built-in with Office 15, which will include access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. The new suite has been designed keeping in mind touch input and power consumption. Office 15 now features a flatter look, compared to Office 2010 and it seems like a common trend in mobile software as even Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich is designed with similar principles in mind. The Office suite for Windows on ARM (WOA) will be more app like than the traditional look and feel that we’re used to. As you can see from the screenshot, there are a lot more white spaces around. The ribbon styled menu on the top has been either scrapped or hidden, since it’s not visible in the screenshot. It seems like this new look will be consistent across Intel and ARM-based devices as that’s one of their goals. The main issue with WOA, right now is the lack of legacy app support. Hopefully, we'll get to see more during MWC. Here's a better look at Windows 8 running on ARM.