Next version of Office for Mac will be coming to the App Store in early 2015

Photo: Microsoft

Following our report yesterday revealing several leaked shots for the next version of Microsoft Office for Mac, we’re hearing confirmation that not only are the shots legitimate, but that Office for Mac could be here sooner than you think.

The scoop comes from Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet, a proven Microsoft insider who has consistently broken many of the biggest stories in the Microsoft space over the last few years.
According to Foley, Microsoft is already testing its Office 16 apps internally, as well as with a number of external testers, with a release date pegged to first half of 2015.This lines up with Microsoft’s historic Office release schedule, in which major new revisions of Office are released roughly every two years.
More interesting, however, is that not only is the next Microsoft Office for Mac scheduled for early next year, but Office is coming to Android too:

Microsoft is expected to release its Office for Android tablet offering soon, possibly in early November 2014, my contacts are saying. The company also is expected to disclose timing and possibly a public preview of its next Office for Mac release very soon, as well. Alleged screen shots of the next Office for Mac’s Outlook client leaked earlier this week. The latest rumored release target for the next Office for Mac is early 2015.

Given what a slow, limping, and ugly dog the last version of Office for Mac was, the new version can’t get here soon enough.
It’s too early to say whether Microsoft is better off under new CEO Satya Nadella than it was under the oleaginous Steve Ballmer, but one thing is for sure: it’s been better for Apple users, at least so far.