User interface concepts for Office Gemini revealed, shows Word, Excel, Outlook in action

A new document has been uncovered, titled “UX Proposal for Pen and Ink for Office Gemini,” showcasing concept designs for the Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote in action. Obviously these are concept designs, but could the final version of Office Gemini look similar? Its a possibility.

Office Gemini, for those that did not know, is the codename for Microsoft’s Office productivity suite that is optimized for touch and ink. These apps are not intended to replace their desktop counterparts, as Microsoft plans to continue to develop and innovate on the desktop front. Gemini simply provides consumers with a Metro/Modern version of the Office productivity suite.

Microsoft also has a video that talks about “Great Inking,” which goes over a unified approach to inking and how it ties into the company’s concept for Office Gemini. According to Microsoft, modern devices have changed the game and as more pen capable hardware is released, the more consumers should be aware of the inking capabilities – especially since consumers are turning to modern touch devices for productivity purposes. 

“In late 2013 and early 2014 Office, Surface, and Windows formed a Cross-Group Inking team to explore One Microsoft needs for a unified approach to inking. In this session Tucker Hatfield presents details about the Cross-Group effort and their conclusions of what is needed for first-class inking and Will Vong shows visionary ways in which these needs might be met with inking features,” Microsoft explained.

You can watch this video below. You can also check out the concepts in the PDF file below.

Credit to @h0x0d for spotting this!