Microsoft today has announced the pricing schemes and editions of Microsoft Office 2010 set to debut... well... in 2010. There will be four different editions plus two new standout features of Microsoft Office 2010 that haven't been in previous versions. First is Office web apps, which if any of you have used Google Docs, it's basically a version of Office that you can use online and store your documents online in a "cloud". Second, is Product Key Cards. If you've ever bought a new computer, with a trial of Office, instead of having to buy the software, you can buy a product key card for a little bit less money to activate that trial completely.

Microsoft Office Professional Academic will be the cheapest version of Microsoft Office at only $99. It will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher. The catch is, it will only be available for qualifying students and sold through campus bookstores, etc.

Microsoft Office Home and Student is basically for your average Joe when using Office programs. This includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Like 2007, this will be $149 and the product key card will be sold for $119.

Microsoft Office Home and Business will be a little more for the savvy users that need a little more bang in their Office suite. At $279 regularly and $199 for the key card, this comes with everything in Home and Student plus Outlook. Basically, it's a terrible deal. Don't buy it.

Microsoft Office Professional is the full suite that includes everything for those who want it all--sort of. It includes everything in the Professional Academic addition, but comes at the steep price of $499 and $349 for the key card. This is available in wide release, whereas Academic is basically a discount for students.

Looks like some of us are going to have to oil our skin, buy a hip, nifty iPod, a Hollister shirt, and walk into to a college campus bookstore and hope for the best.