Microsoft notified testers that it has launched the beta 1 of Microsoft Office 10, according to testers. Office 10 is the successor to Office 2000 for Windows. Microsoft provided a demonstration of some of Office 10's capabilities at its late July financial analyst meeting. Among the new features slated to be part of Office 10 are Web Parts components, Web-based data storage and new formatting options. While Microsoft is working on Office 10, it simultaneously is putting the finishing touches on its next Office release for the Macintosh. The company has said it will ship its next Mac Office release this October. Microsoft has declined to say when it expects to ship Office 10. -- Mary Jo Foley, ZDNet News
