Microsoft Office 2013 reaches RTM, to launch in Q1 2013

Microsoft yesterday announced that it has completed the Release to Manufacturing build of Office 2013, and that the full version of the office suite would be available to the masses in the first quarter of 2013. The company stated on its official blog that a preview version of Office 13 would be included on Windows RT devices, beginning with the Windows 8 launch on October 26

Users who have subscribed to TechNet or MSDN can download their copies of the final version by mid-November. Volume licensing customers with Software Assurance will be able to download the Office 2013 applications as well as other Office products including SharePoint 2013, Lync 2013 and Exchange 2013 through the Volume Licensing Service Centre by mid-November. These products will be available on the Volume Licensing price list on December 1. Microsoft would be rolling out updates and new capabilities to Office 365 customers in its next service update, starting in November until general availability.

Microsoft stated that people who purchase Office 2010 from retailers or resellers will receive the latest version of Office for free when it is available