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by Mike Zazaian September 14, 2006 - 6:15pm, 8 Comments

Microsoft has opened up downloads for the final beta release of its next-gen office application juggernaut, Office 2007, but it’s not completely free.

The latest beta version of Microsoft’s upcoming Office 2007 is now available for download. This release, dubbed Office 2007 Beta 2 Technical Refresh (build 4407.1005), sports all the functionality of what will appear in next year’s final release of the application, including the sought-after ribbon interface.

However, the download isn’t free. Those who aren’t already involved in the Microsoft Beta program will have to sign up for a meager $1.50 US. Granted, it’s not much, but it’s still paying a sum of money to help a corporation get their product into shape for its release. Not necessarily a good, or kind, move by Microsoft. For those who are already enrolled in the beta testing program, Office 2007 Beta 2 Technical Refresh (B2TR) is free to download.

For a full list of improvements in Beta 2 Technical refresh, check out the blog of Microsoft’s Jensen Harris, a member of the Office interface team. Here are some of the features that we thought might whet your interest.

• Improved support for the minimized Ribbon
• Visual redesign of the "Northwest" corner of the programs
• Double-click the Office Button to close the window
• Silver color scheme
• Redesign of the PowerPoint Home tab
• Improvements to default styles for all objects (pictures, tables, charts, SmartArt, headers,
  footers, etc.)
• Quick Customize Menu
• New product icons
• Usability improvements to the Office menu
• Send button in the form in Outlook
• Over 1000 changes (most minor) to the content of the Ribbon

According to Harris, Office 2007 B2TR should run fine on either Windows XP or on Windows Vista RC1. If you’re at all interested in the software, you might as well head to the website and take advantage of $1.50 download while you can. As Microsoft is already so far into the aesthetic development period of Office 2007, and because of their history of peculiar beta-naming, you never know when they’ll close up the beta and make the product only available at a much higher price.

[via ars technica]