Courtesy: CNET

Microsoft announced today that they had finalized their latest version of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, Office 2010. It is now labeled as the RTM version, or release-to-manufacturing. The finalized set includes Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, Visio 2010, and Project 2010.

Microsoft Office will come in four flavors. There will be Office Professional for $499, Home and Student for $149, Home and Business for $279, and Professional Academic (sold only on campus and exclusive retailers aimed at students) for $99. They also offer a "product key card" this year for those with trial versions of Office preinstalled in their computer. Key cards can be picked up for a discounted price.

More than 7.5 million people, including myself, have been using the free beta available for testing. It's looking pretty good. I especially like the new transitions and animations in Office PowerPoint. Plus the redesigned "File" menu (to replace the Office logo menu in 2007) can be nifty but seems to take up more space than is needed.

Microsoft is holding a launch event for Office 2010 on May 12th in New York and will put the product on shelves in June.