Microsoft Corp. is launching a subscription-based version of its Office software for U.S. consumers, as competitors crowd in on its core desktop product suites.

The Redmond, Wash., software giant said Wednesday the new service, called Equipt, combines office tools such as its Microsoft Word word-processing program and the Excel spreadsheet application. The product, which will also include security and maintenance software, will initially be available only in the U.S. starting July 15.

Equipt was tested in the U.S. earlier this year under the code name "Albany." Microsoft has also previously experimented with some subscription sales of Office in emerging markets.

Link: Wall Street Journal