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Microsoft Office for iOS and Android Arriving in November?

Wednesday May 23, 2012 9:42 am PDT by Eric Slivka
BGR reports that Microsoft is planning to launch Office for iOS in November this year, with the source claiming first-hand knowledge of the software running on an iPad. With the app's splash screen referring to it as "Office for iOS", the source also speculates that the app may also be coming to the smaller screens of the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to its iOS effort, Microsoft is also said to be bringing Office to Android-based tablets in the same timeframe.

Microsoft had indicated soon after the launch of the original iPad that it was investigating the possibility of bringing Office to the platform, but ultimately stated that it had no plans for such an effort. The Daily has since claimed several times that Office for iPad is in fact in the works, reporting in February that it had even had hands-on time with a prototype of the app.


Photo of claimed Office prototype app running on an iPad (Source: The Daily)

Microsoft denied the claim, but The Daily continues to stand by its report. Suggesting that there may have been a misunderstanding somewhere, Microsoft stated that the situation would become "clear in the coming weeks". No such clarification has yet surfaced, however.
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3N16MA
13 months ago

Whenever I see the words Microsoft I get a headache.

Brings back bad memories.



You should go see a doctor if a simple name gives you headaches. ;)
Rating: 24 Positives
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adildacoolset
13 months ago
I do hope microsoft ARE making office for iPad. Its just the thing about computing: microsoft office is the best office app around
Rating: 17 Positives
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kyjaotkb
13 months ago

Whenever I see the words Microsoft I get a headache.

Brings back bad memories.

Excel is IMHO one of the most important breakthrough in human productivity in the last decades. It is a totally amazing piece of software.
Rating: 17 Positives
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camnchar
13 months ago
No thanks I have iWork.
Rating: 9 Positives
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iCaleb
13 months ago
Post deleted by user.
Rating: 9 Positives
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stridemat
13 months ago
For me this is a deal breaker for using the iPad at work. That is if it fully maintains formatting etc when editing documents created on a PC. To date the apps available cause me more problems.
Rating: 7 Positives
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kyjaotkb
13 months ago

No thanks I have iWork.


Well, it's like replying to a news about the new Canon 1D-X with "No thanks my iPhone Camera is perfectly fine"

iWork, despite being well-thought for casual users and OK for light home use, is definitely not playing in the same field as Office.

Well - let's be more specific :

- Office is the worldwide corporate standard
- Keynote is almost on par with Powerpoint (even slightly better at times, I admit it)
- Pages is limited and much less powerful than Word but OK for many light tasks
- Numbers is... frankly, I'd prefer Excel 5 to Numbers 09. Numbers is just a joke compared to Excel. Low power, no VBA, no 3rd-party integration (Essbase, SAP, Magnitude and the myriad of 3rd party plug-ins).
- Outlook & Exchange is top-notch for enterprise use - not sure what cross-platform solution Apple has to offer that compares to Exchange.
- Access is well integrated to Excel and powerful - even though Filemaker is not bad at all a bit less integrated.
Rating: 6 Positives
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nefan65
13 months ago

What about the price? Might be nice software to use with an iPad keyboard attachment... not so much using just the built in touch keyboard for long word documents.


If they're smart, they'll use the same model as iWork for iPad. Individual for say $29.99/Each, or the whole thing for $79.99 [Word, Excel, and PP].
Rating: 6 Positives
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MacRumorUser
13 months ago

It'll be interesting to see how it compares to iWork, both on functionality and price.

For those of you wondering about a metro interface... correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Microsoft is changing office to a metro interface even on Win8. That will remain a "windows classic" view.


That is exactly it. That screenshot is from Office 15 on Windows 8 via a remote desktop application for iOS.


There is no competitive advantage to withhold an app from the market from a software company's perspective. People are not going to pass up buying an iPad because there is no MS Office app. It actually makes more sense to have Office on every available platform so they can keep their user base.



Yes there is. When you have invested a lot of $$$$ to take on the tablet market with your new OS, Office for Win 8 platform would be a good selling point and market differentiator.
Rating: 5 Positives
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coolbreeze
13 months ago
Hate all you want on MSFT, but this would be outstanding for most people - specifically enterprise users.

Looking forward to it.
Rating: 5 Positives

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