Microsoft Phrase celebrated its fortieth anniversary this week. The app first launched as “Multi-Software Phrase” again on October 25, 1983, on the Xenix Unix variant, and it later shipped on the Macintosh and different platforms earlier than launching on Home windows 2.x in 1989.
“From its humble beginnings, Phrase has gone on to turn out to be one of the crucial in style workplace instruments on the earth, and just about everyone seems to be acquainted with it in a method or one other,” Microsoft mentioned in a celebration publish on the Microsoft 365 Insider weblog this week. The corporate additionally shared the next timeline of Phrase variations over the previous 40 years.
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Phrase nonetheless stays a key pillar of the Microsoft 365 productiveness ecosystem, and the corporate is within the means of including new AI-powered options to it. The Microsoft 365 Copilot, which might be out there as a paid add-on for industrial prospects beginning on November 1, will add new generative AI options to assist customers create drafts and write extra successfully.
As Phrase remains to be dealing with competitors from Google Docs, Microsoft additionally continues its work to make the Phrase internet app a first-class expertise. “We’re persevering with to take a position and innovate in Phrase for the net to make it an excellent creation and consumption instrument. This contains utilizing your suggestions to prioritize our areas of funding,” the corporate mentioned this week.
One other key space of focus for the Workplace crew is extensibility and customization. “We’re dedicated to giving Phrase builders the instruments and capabilities they should construct wonderful experiences and help customized workflows,” Microsoft mentioned.
Regardless that Phrase stays one of the crucial in style phrase processors available on the market, many customers might choose different apps that aren’t as bloated at this time. Earlier this yr, Paul additionally described a few of his rising pains with Phrase, together with in-app ads for Microsoft 365.
Are you a heavy Phrase person or do you now choose different options? Tell us your ideas about Phrase turning 40 within the feedback!
