Microsoft puts rival Slack in crosshairs with new Office chat app

Redmond, Washington

IN the last couple of years at Microsoft, some old habits have been tossed away, such as obsessively placing Windows software at the centre of all the company's big bets. But the company would still dig trenches to protect Office, its US$23 billion-a-year software franchise.

Microsoft on Wednesday took the wraps off Microsoft Teams, an addition to the Office package that will allow professionals to huddle virtually with colleagues in private chat rooms to talk about anything from work projects to where to get lunch.