Tags: Google Docs, Microsoft, Microsoft Albany, Microsoft Office Home, Microsoft Office Live Workspace, Microsoft Student, MS Office, MSN Live Messenger, Office Suites, Windows Live Mail

Microsoft Albany subscription based office suite being tested

Microsoft has confirmed that they are currently testing a subscription based office productivity suite aimed at home buyers.

This new suite has been codenamed Albany and it is being tested by thousands of beta participants.

This suite is said to include components like Office Home and Student 2007 along with Office Live Workspaces; Windows Live Mail, Messenger and other applications.

It would take on rival services like Google Docs and other web based office products.

Market analysts say that this suite proves that the company is now aiming to differentiate between the rival free suites with their MS Office suite.

Microsoft Albany would be offered through a subscription service and it is not yet clear whether they would charge for it on a monthly or a yearly basis.