Microsoft Confirms Testing of ‘Albany’ Low-cost Office Suite

Microsoft on Friday confirmed it is planning to release a subscription-based “value box” of low-end productivity software code-named Albany, and has sent an early version of the product to thousands of beta participants for private testing.

News surfaced last month that Microsoft was planning the suite — a combination of Office Home and Student 2007; Office Live Workspaces; Windows Live Mail, Messenger and Photos client software; and Windows Live OneCare — to compete with Google Docs and other free or low-cost productivity suites available in the consumer market. Microsoft late last month sent out select invitations to test Albany, asking people to sign nondisclosure agreements just to sign up for the test, sources close to the company said at the time.

Read more: pcworld.com