Microsoft gave word on Friday that Office 2010 has reached RTM (release to manufacturing) meaning it will definitely reach business customers on May 12, while the U.S. retail release is scheduled to come out on June 15th.

Office 2010 brings such updates as an improved Backstage view feature that replaces the File menu, and the ribbon, retiring traditional menus and toolbars altogether. The search and navigation features are also improved upon and there's the addition of new picture and video editing tools as well as the Outlook Social Connector and Sparklines tool that assists in creating small charts inside a single cell.

Microsoft will release Office 2010 in five flavours; Office 2010 Starter, Office Professional Academic, Office Home & Student, Office Home & Business and of course, Office Professional. The Start edition is ad-supported, while Academic, Home & Student, Home & Business and Professional will hit shelves at $99, $149, $279 and $499 respectively.