In addition to new GUI enhancements such as transparent menus, Microsoft is touting four major new features in Office 2004 for Mac, including new Track Changes features, full MSN Messenger integration, Unicode support, and support for long file names. Microsoft has not yet specified the exact release date of the Pro version. Because of this, we have adjusted our release timing to match a more realistic schedule.' The developing, testing, and bug fix cycle with Virtual PC is longer than that of Office and the testing more vigorous than previous versions of Virtual PC. Initially, our development and testing timeline was estimated based on our experience with development of Office. In explaining the delay to TMO last week, Jessica Sommer, Product Manager for the Mac Business Unit said, 'This is the first version of Virtual PC for Mac developed by Microsoft. Microsoft has said the delays is due to Virtual PC 7, which is included in the Pro version of Office for Mac, and is not ready. The company has shipped both the Standard and Student and Teacher versions of the product, with the Professional version delayed until later this year. Big Redmond also announced the 30 Day Test Drive for Office 2004 for Mac, which allows users to try the software before they buy it. Icrosoft has officially announced what TMO first reported last week: Office 2004 for Mac has shipped.
