Office 15 to include an app store?
Microsoft isn't talking much about the next Office, but a job posting indicates that Microsoft may be developing yet another app store.
A Microsoft job posting suggests that Office is the latest of Redmond's products that will get its own app store.
Already there are marketplaces for Zune, Xbox, and Windows Mobile. Windows Phone 7 will have one and Microsoft is adding one to its CRM product. A leaked planning document suggests that Windows 8 may get one. Now a job posting for a product manager suggests that Office, too, may get an app store.
"As we launch Office 2010, we are beginning the process of planning for Office 15 and are looking for a product manager to drive Office 15 strategy for partners," according to the job listing, which was spotted by enthusiast site Windows 8 beta. "You will drive the innovation agenda that excites our partners in areas like 'Office App Store.' This position will also be responsible for working across Microsoft with teams like Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Azure to ensure alignment with our business planning."
Officially, of course, Microsoft will say little about the next version of Office.
"Wave 15 is currently under development, but we have nothing further to share at this time," a representative said in a statement on Friday. The current version, Office 2010, was code-named Office 14 while in development and was released in May.
That's OK, that's one step further than the Windows group, which won't even use Windows and 8 in the same sentence.