Might Microsoft show off its Slack competitor at November 2 event?
On the heels of its Windows and hardware event in New York City on October 26, Microsoft is holding another event in New York on November 2.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Office Corporate Vice President Kirk Koenigsbauer will discuss "the changing nature of collaboration and how we can empower every team to achieve more," according to the company. There will also be unnamed "special guests" at the event.
The invitation to the two-hour event that day doesn't spell out the specifics of what will be discussed beyond team collaboration. It ends with "How can we empower every team to achieve more?"
November just happens to be when the rumored beta of Microsoft's Slack competitor, Skype Teams, is expected to launch.
I'm also thinking Microsoft could provide a glimpse of some other "OfficeNext" futures, specifically around the business/commercial side of Office, at this event. Microsoft launched its latest Office 2016 and server complements over the past year or so.
I noted today that Chris Pratley, the executive who helped Microsoft create and launch OneNote and Sway, is working on the Microsoft Evoke team now, which is building a 3D digital storytelling, photo and video tools. (Evoke Studios seems to be part of Microsoft's Windows and Devices unit, not Office, these days.)
I'm thinking the November 2 event might be more about the core Office/Office 365 Commercial products, rather than things like Evoke. But since Microsoft officials aren't commenting beyond the invitation itself, none of these guesses on my part are anything but guesses.
The November 2 Office event in New York will be the second of three Microsoft events in a row here in the city. The third is Microsoft's Connect() developer event on November 16 and 17.