Office Web is planned as a “lightweight” package of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote applications that will “be compatible with familiar web browsers” including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

A “private technical preview” is due later this year, before the tools are rolled into the next version of Office. In the meantime, Microsoft has asked potential beta customers to visit its Office Live site here for updates and information.

Office Web’s hosted applications and services will be delivered as part of Microsoft’s umbrella Office Live website, with both ad-funded and subscription options available to businesses and consumers. Larger business customers can opt for hosted subscriptions or can go through existing volume licensing agreements.

Microsoft has yet to set a release date for Office 14. If the company stays on track, Microsoft will likely offer another joint release that includes Windows 7 and Office 14 sometime in late 2009 or early 2010.

http://workspace.officelive.com/