This Microsoft presentation covered Office 2016 and Microsoft’s Surface products. There was also some general discussion about other Microsoft products, including Windows 10.
The presenters were Carolyn Bighinatti (Community Development Specialist) for Office 2016 and Don Troiano (Business Sales Specialist) for the Surface products.
Microsoft launched Office 2016 in September 2015, with versions for both Windows and Mac computers. Office is available in various configurations, and it continues to typically include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and One-Note.
Not surprisingly, this latest Office includes new features.
The new Word provides:
- Real-time Co-Authoring. Multiple authors can simultaneously edit a single document … and each person can see the others’ edits as they happen.
- This is an improved method to enter math equations.
- Simplified Image Insertion and Automatic Image Rotation. Upon insertion of an image, the new Word automatically rotates the image to match the camera’s orientation. (It is also still possible to manually rotate the image to any position after insertion.)
The new Excel provides:
- New Charts and Graphs. The charts offer more options and are intended to serve “modern” needs.
- Get and Transform Query. This feature can access and bring data into Excel in a simpler manner.
The new PowerPoint provides:
- Smart Guides. These guides automatically appear when objects, such as pictures or shapes, are close to evenly lined up. The guides provide a convenient method to do equidistant alignment or other types of alignment.
- Conflict Resolution. When multiple authors edit a document, there can be conflicts between the edits. This feature provides a simple method to resolve these conflicts.
The new Outlook provides:
- Modern Attachments. One can easily attach and share recently used files.
- Clutter Folder. One can use a clutter folder that receives lower priority messages. This is similar to the sorting of email in Google’s GMail application.
- People Suggestions. One can find email easily by identifying people with whom one regularly communicates.
The new One-Note provides:
- An Add-On for Verbal Dictation. This is now included at no extra cost.
- Translation of Handwritten Material. It will convert handwritten pen motions to typed text.
Microsoft advertises Office 2016 with the words: “Do your best work – anywhere, anytime and with anyone”. Carolyn explained the meaning of these words:
“anywhere” – One can work on any device and access files from the Cloud.
“anytime” – One can work in the office, in the field, or at home.
“with anyone” – This new Office is particularly adapted for coworkers who are working together and coauthoring.
Carolyn described Microsoft’s Office Mobile Apps, which are free for most tablets and phones (so long as they are no larger than 10.1 inches). These apps provide basic editing, and they are “always saving to the cloud” … so there is no need to specifically “save” files! These apps are downloadable from the Windows Store.
Carolyn also described Office 365, which Microsoft recommends to obtain Office 2016. Office 365 is a subscription-based system, and there are various configuration levels with different price points. This system provides Microsoft 2016 on all of one’s computers and devices … the cost is the same whether one has one or more computers or devices. It also includes 1 TB of Microsoft’s “One Drive” cloud storage.
Don described Microsoft’s Surface devices.
He described the Surface Pro 4 as a tablet that can replace one’s laptop. It has many of the features of a laptop, but it is simple to use.
Don pointed out some improvements in this latest Surface Pro 4, as compared to Microsoft’s previous Surface devices:
Wider Keyboard. The keyboard has been stretched to be more like a regular keyboard in width.
Improved Keypad. The keypad has a new glass screen that makes it more sensitive
New Screen. The new screen is slightly larger … and the surrounding bezel is narrower.
Redesigned Pen. The previous stylus has been redesigned to feel more like a pen. The new pen is now pressure sensitive, and it includes new features. For instance, one can erase a mark by simply flipping the pen over as if it were an everyday pencil. The pen is now magnetized to attach to the case.
Another Surface product is the Surface Book. Don described this as “the ultimate laptop”. One can separate the screen and use the screen by itself as a tablet!
The Surface Book can utilize an external CD drive, and it comes with Edge (Microsoft’s new browser) and Internet Explorer.
The graphics card is located in the keyboard.
There is an available docking station that provides two additional mini Display Ports and additional USB ports. The docking station connects instead of the charger. In response to audience questions, Don and Carolyn explained that memory is not upgradeable and the battery is not replaceable … however, Microsoft offers upgrade paths.