Microsoft to delay new version of Office suite

"Based on internal testing and beta 2 feedback around product performance, we are revising our development schedule to deliver the 2007 Microsoft Office system by the end of year 2006, with broad general availability in early 2007," the company said in a statement.

"Feedback on quality and performance will ultimately determine the exact dates."

The Office suite, which includes the Word program for word processing, the Excel spreadsheet and PowerPoint presentation software, is one of the key products for Microsoft along with its Windows operating system.

Microsoft earlier this year delayed the release of its upgraded version of Windows, Vista until January, missing the key year-end period for computer sales.

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