Microsoft Office becoming ‘subscription service for life’

A lot of people now pay $99 a year for a Microsoft Office 365 subscription that includes tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. But, starting on April 21st, Microsoft will change the name of the service to Microsoft 365 and add additional features and services.

One new feature is an expanded version of Microsoft Editor, which now offers anyone (for free) access to spelling and basic grammar across Word, Outlook.com, and the web. But subscribers to the new Microsoft 365 Personal and Family edition will also have access to “advanced grammar and style refinements to write with more clarity and conciseness,” according to Microsoft. You’ll be able to highlight a sentence and get a “rewrite suggestion,” and there will even be
plagiarism checking capabilities that will, when necessary “insert relevant citations right into their document with just a click.”

There will also be enhancements to PowerPoint including a presenter coach to suggest enhancements to your presentations.

There will be parental control tools and access to a partner benefits program, with limited time access to services from the likes of Headspace, Adobe, Experian and more.