When is the next version of OneNote due?
The Spoke posts up some information that I have been wondering about for some time. The more I use onenote the more I appreciate the product for it innovation and downright usefulness. But like all software there are opportunities for improvement.
One of the most common questions I get about OneNote these days relates to upcoming versions. Let me tell you what little I can about that now (note that this is NOT official Microsoft news):
1. Will there be another Service Pack for OneNote 2003? Probably, yes, and you’ll likely see it late this year. Before you get too excited I wouldn’t expect it to include many (if any) new features. I think it will be primarily just bug fixes and other such typical service pack fare. I haven’t seen any list of what such a service pack might include, but it’s clear that OneNote SP1 was an aberration by including new features. SP2 won’t follow that mold.
2. When is OneNote version 2 and what will it include? OneNote version 2 will probably be along about the same time as the next version of Microsoft Office. That’s expected to be towards the end of 2006 last I heard, but I don’t think that schedule is set in concrete. I have not seen a list of what it will include, though the list of frequently requested features (internal hyperlinks, integrated drawing tools, better integration with Office, etc.) is pretty well-known and I’m sure that they will try to deliver as many of those features as they can.
My only advice to those of you anxious for the next OneNote is….be patient. OneNote 2003 is a version 1 product, SP1 probably made it a 1.3 product, but it’s still young and growing fast. The next SP of OneNote will fix a few bugs and the next version of OneNote will bring some exciting new capabilities.