This are of the Private Beta forum indicates as "TextMaker NX and 2026 for Linux". [emphasis mine].
I should like to point out that I am only interested in 'full product beta' versions. I currently have SoftMaker Professional 2024 - will this be a separate beta release? My only other comment about TextMaker 2024 is that I would hope in future releases that GPT is off by default and only available when toggled on.
Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
- swarfendor437
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Re: Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
Yes, this Beta version is for both SoftMaker Office NX and the upcoming 2026 release; there will not be separate Beta programs.
The full feature lists will be shared after the official release. Regarding the ChatGPT feature, I do not believe there will be a toggle for it in the 2026 version, as it is exclusive to NX. You can upgrade to NX at any time to access it.
The full feature lists will be shared after the official release. Regarding the ChatGPT feature, I do not believe there will be a toggle for it in the 2026 version, as it is exclusive to NX. You can upgrade to NX at any time to access it.
Re: Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
Given the explanation in your reply, that the beta is for both NX and 2026, Would it be possible to provide a beta version of NX that allows switching off completely the AI ChatGPT tools?
I realise that you're adding AI as a supposed desirable feature and some people will love this but in my experience AI is less 'intelligence' and more 'Idiot'. As swarfendor implies, some customers have no intention of purchsing any products that have embedded AI tools and will go out of our way to avoid them. This is also exactly why some of your customers choose to purchase Softmaker products rather than alternatives.
I'm aware that your subscription model customers probably provide you with more income but please don't ignore the customers who prefer a one-off purchase and no AI.
As the beta is shared between 2026 and NX that means that some customers will be unable to test 2026 until it is released unless there is a way to disable all AI.
You'll probably think I'm a 'Luddite' but I'm hoping not to be mourning the coming loss of general purpose computing for ordinary people.
Have you seen the price of RAM caused by AI lately?
Best wishes.
I realise that you're adding AI as a supposed desirable feature and some people will love this but in my experience AI is less 'intelligence' and more 'Idiot'. As swarfendor implies, some customers have no intention of purchsing any products that have embedded AI tools and will go out of our way to avoid them. This is also exactly why some of your customers choose to purchase Softmaker products rather than alternatives.
I'm aware that your subscription model customers probably provide you with more income but please don't ignore the customers who prefer a one-off purchase and no AI.
As the beta is shared between 2026 and NX that means that some customers will be unable to test 2026 until it is released unless there is a way to disable all AI.
You'll probably think I'm a 'Luddite' but I'm hoping not to be mourning the coming loss of general purpose computing for ordinary people.
Have you seen the price of RAM caused by AI lately?
Best wishes.
Re: Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
Please note that the current beta covers both SoftMaker Office NX and SoftMaker Office 2026, and there is no separate beta for each at present. Features such as AI and DeepL belong to SoftMaker Office NX and are not part of the regular SoftMaker Office 2026 edition. Even so, the combined beta remains useful for testing the shared functionality of both editions.
Re: Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
I think there may be a lesson here about pricing. I'm not a Luddite either and I too want absolutely nothing to do with AI when I'm writing English, and really don't want to have to pay for it. But the Deepl translation tool would be useful and worth some money (bearing in mind that you can use Deepl for free, though the basic subscription is considerably more than an NX subscription, and more convenient in Textmaker, so I'm finally feeling tempted to move to NX).
Beyond these things, the upgrades to the 2024 version are nice but not really so major that other 2024 users will feel compelled to upgrade. (I certainly wouldn't if a recent move to France hadn't given me a regular need for translation.) Clearly if they object to AI the 2026 option will be there for them, but at £60.99 or the equivalent, that's a pretty big ask, assuming current edition pricing stays the same. I think loyal past customers (and I've been using SMO for many years) deserve a better reward than being pushed so obviously towards a subscription model.
Beyond these things, the upgrades to the 2024 version are nice but not really so major that other 2024 users will feel compelled to upgrade. (I certainly wouldn't if a recent move to France hadn't given me a regular need for translation.) Clearly if they object to AI the 2026 option will be there for them, but at £60.99 or the equivalent, that's a pretty big ask, assuming current edition pricing stays the same. I think loyal past customers (and I've been using SMO for many years) deserve a better reward than being pushed so obviously towards a subscription model.
Re: Is there going to be a Beta for 2026 that isn't NX?
We appreciate you recognizing this and considering an NX subscription.seasidepb wrote: Mon Jul 06, 2026 10:49 pm ...though the basic subscription is considerably more than an NX subscription, and more convenient in Textmaker, so I'm finally feeling tempted to move to NX).
