Microsoft's released a few apps here and there for the iPhone and iPad but has kept one of its prize breadwinners out of the iOS fray. According to The Daily, which appears to have some insider info on Microsoft lately, that all might change in 2012 with the launch of Office for iPad. The publication claims that this new release will play nice with Office 365's cloud-based service, and iPad documents should be compatible with the desktop versions of Office. In fact, this closely mirrors both Office for Windows Phone and iWork on the iPad, with document syncing and compatibility between mobile and desktop apps. Office for iPad's price point also is rumored to be similar to iWork on iOS's $10 per app pricing. The Daily claims a new Office for Mac will be coming out closer to the end of 2012, but the iPad apps are likely to launch much sooner. It looks like Microsoft's big 2012 is getting bigger.
Microsoft reportedly launching Office for iPad in 2012
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Would definitely make helping people at work with their iPads infinitely easier.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:09 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
And Basically kill the idea of any important Windows8 tablet…
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:17 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The strategy seems pretty clear to me; to prove a point.
Have an inferior / cut down version of office installed on OSX (more than likely at the same functionality as the office web apps you find within sky drive or maybe office 365).
Then release a fully functional office suite running on windows 8 under the metro UI to basically embarrass its ‘toy tablet’ counterparts on a feature by feature basis whilst maintaining the same experience within the tablet form factor.
This achieves two objectives, the first is that it sets a common benchmark across devices for customers to compare against; for consumers ‘toy tablets’ may be fine as a couch surfing device which allows you to take note of your shopping list and maybe calculate your weekly bills. Enterprise customers however, (Microsoft’s core market) require fully functional ’PC’’s to go about their daily business and what they are really after, is a ‘PC’ in a tablet form factor (windows 8 tablet) this then cements that idea by providing them with another comparable.
The second, is that this strategy will act as a carrot drawing many of the power users back to windows via a ‘windows 8 tablet pc’, whom require a much more feature rich experience than those found on OSX / Android (mobile OS) devices.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:13 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
One less reason to want Windows on a tablet. I wonder if Microsoft realizes that they are completely dooming the burgeoning Windows (8) Tablet market by releasing this.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:10 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
But they’ll make money off the software, still. Similarly, do you think it was a dumb idea for MS to release Office for Mac OS? It’s a pretty dim view. Software makers should want their product to be available on all platforms.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:18 PM EST reply Recommend (22) Flag actions
Microsoft made Office for Mac before they made it for Windows
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:41 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (12) Flag actions
True, but that was mostly because Windows back then had barely existed.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:34 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Excel actually predates windows.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:24 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
Yeah, I should know, having personally run Excel under DOS. Version 2. something IIRC.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Right. Word was released for the Mac first, if I’m remembering right.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I completely agree. I wasn’t saying that they shouldn’t do it, they should go all out and have Office integration on Android as well, maybe even BlackBerry if they have the resources.
I was seeing deep Office integration as a key selling point for Windows 8 tablets, much like Xbox Live integration is for Windows Phone. It is unfair to consumers who must make a choice, but there are plenty of people that live in the Microsoft world on the desktop and are Apple/Android/etc on mobile. This just eases the transition for the many millions of people who already own a tablet and need Office. Cha-ching.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What you’re overlooking is that a lack of Microsoft products on the iPad hasn’t hindered its sales at all, so your logic doesn’t follow. The money is sitting there, whether Microsoft chooses to grab a handful or not.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:35 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Well, that’s unknowable isn’t it? We know that the iPad sold fantastically without Office, but maybe it would be selling even more with it? It would have been like saying in 2004 that the iPod mini was the most successful PMP so therefore Apple didn’t need a solid state version. It turned out that the Nano was even more successful.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You’re missing the point, though. What I’m saying is that Office is, currently, irrelevant to the tablet space (which is really just the iPad space). Office has to prove that there’s a demand for this product in this space before we can talk about how it will help sell tablets, when it’s really the other way around right now. That is, it’s more logical to say that tablets will help sell Office.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You can’t really make deep document-editing application integration a selling point for a tablet. Furthermore, the most important thing for MS is maintaining their file formats as the standard. If they let competitors come in with Documents to Go, Quickoffice, etc., the .doc standard falls out of MS’s influence. The result is just that they let other apps rack up sales. In fact, the reason MS needed to release an cloud based document editor is just to offer a MS alternative to other cloud based document editors, like Google docs, etc.
It’s also somewhat dubious to think that a tablet without a hardware keyboard can really feature something like deeply integrated document editing.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You can get a hardware keyboard for like $20. It’s not proprietary to the iPad, it’s not locked down, or anything. This type of functionality brings tablets one step closer towards being able to fully replace a PC, for the majority of the population, and I dig it!
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 5:05 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t have any problem with the idea that you can use a hardware keyboard with a tablet. That’s all just fine. I just don’t see a document editor as a “selling point” of a tablet. Nor do I even understand what “deep integration” of MS Word would amount to.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 6:53 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
That alone won’t be THE selling point, but for some people it may be the function they have been waiting for and pushes them over the edge to get a tablet as their main device (and begin to ditch their laptop/desktop). I know it makes me want one a lot more.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 2:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Are you just talking about MS Word or MS Office as an exclusive product available on Windows for Tablet? Because I’m still not sure how an office package is any more integrated into a tablet than it is integrated into a computer.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
On second thought, the reality is that iPad office apps are not equivalent to desktop versions. MS Word for iPad will be more like an off-line version of their cloud-based document editor. The problem MS faces with both the cloud and 3rd party document editors is that they dilute MS’s hold over the file format. MS doesn’t want Word 97’s version of .doc files to become the default file format, because it means that consumers won’t need to keep buying the latest version of MS Word.
It seems as if MS is planning on having the full versions of all of its apps run on Windows for Tablets. If so, that would differentiate Windows tablets from Android or iOS tablets. The only real question is whether MS will somehow create a touch-optimized or tablet-optimized layer for MS Office. They’ve never bothered to do that in the past, but I suspect that they will give it a go this time around.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:25 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Agree that maintaining the hegemony of Office formats is the biggest driving force here, it’s more important than using Office as an enticement for WP7 phones or Win8 tablets.
Small-screen touch devices are never going to be a primary document creation platform, regardless of OS. But being able to conveniently edit and view documents on a tablet or phone, on the other hand, is a big selling point for an office software suite. Microsoft could ill-afford to give up that functionality when Apple’s office suite has it.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 1:06 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Apple already has Pages, and already has a few airport docks… its not that complicated
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m not denying that document editing can be a feature of a tablet with the use of a hardware keyboard. I’m just saying that it’s not really a selling point of a tablet.
The reason it makes sense for MS to release Office for iPad is exactly because there are competitors that make use of the .doc file format, and Apple offers better integration of its own office applications than what these MS competitors can offer.
Posted on Dec 04, 2011 | 3:42 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Haha, “if they have the resources”!
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 8:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Just make a crippled version ?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 6:40 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What you don’t realise is that Microsoft is a platform company. They strive to keep you on their platform. Hell, they will even help competing products work better on Windows, as long as it sells Windows licenses.
So don’t be fooled, their core product is still Windows. Everything else exists to protect that product.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:20 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Innovator’s Dilemma: creatively destroy your own empire and reap the rewards, or watch as a competitor does it for you.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:19 PM EST reply Recommend (10) Flag actions
Right, but MS have always come down on the other side of that and aimed to destroy the competitor before they can be born.
If MS does something this forward thinking I’ll be both astonished and impressed.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:43 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Its silly that a software company actually making software is considered forward thinking haha. I think MS has a lot of pride but if they would jsut swallow some they would realize the potentially money on other OSs and just be sure to maintain the BEST version on your own platform (google style) and it wouldn’t be so bad. The fact that Zune is only one WP is silly….Spotify came in and ate their potentially marketshare that has just been sitting there on the table. No issue in making a zune streaming app for Android and iOS.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 7:42 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
vs the Innovator’s Solution – compete against non-consumption.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Right, but nobody accuses MS of being innovative. They make lots of money in markets where they have no competitors. Beyond that… pfffffffft
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If Microsoft was basing their Windows 8 tablet success solely on Office exclusively they would have been doomed anyway. Windows 8 should be able to stand on its own merits whereas Office should be available to whomever is willing to pay for it regardless of their preferred platform.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:26 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (25) Flag actions
Nicely put!
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:42 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Agreed, see comment/reply above.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
regardless of preferred platform? Yeah right.. the only reason this is even being rumored about is because Apple’s so about 100MM iPads. And the most obvious thing in the world has taken this long because MS doesn’t really share you ideals…
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
How many times more does an Office license cost than a Windows one. Having the Office suite on the ipad does not mean people will completely move away from their desktop version. Remember that Office also has a Mac version which doesn’t dent their Windows sales too much, or the loss is worth the Office license income. The mac version is in active development and is released in the off year of a Windows Office version and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
And FYI Microsoft isn’t in the buisness of selling tablets. They are selling Windows and Office licenses. By having tablet “versions” of their software they are ensuring they won’t die with the platform. DOS wasn’t originally on Intel chips and Microsoft did move with the times and developed for architectures like IA64.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:34 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Perhaps you should call Redmond and make them aware of this. Ask for Bill.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
you must also realize that M$ would risk loosing their dominance in the office suite space if they did not release this. That is a lot of devices to not be using office, if Microsoft just ignored it, it could come back and bite them in the ass.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:53 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
This is the problem that companies like Microsoft face. The Office division wants to get Office on as many platforms as possible. The Windows division wants to give people as many reasons as possible to use Windows (which often means giving Windows exclusives). This goes to the heart as to why the government at one point recommended splitting Microsoft up.
For the Office division, this could be huge. Office is facing threats from Google Docs and other cloud competitors. iWork has been pretty successful so far on the iPad. Office is being completely left out of the next generation. However, if Office for iPad does indeed sync well with the desktop and cloud versions of Office, it could be a huge hit for businesses.
I use Pages on my iPad for work, but if there was Word for the iPad that synced with Windows and Mac versions, I and others would use it.
~Patrick
www.interchangeproject.rg
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:35 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Office isn’t exclusive to Windows products. For Office to be healthy it has to go where there is a market for it.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:37 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Disagree. Getting Office on more devices helps Windows 8 in general, which includes versions of Windows 8 that are on teblets.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 5:00 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Just like Apple making iTunes for Windows. No one will ever buy another Mac again.
Oh wait…
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:27 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Windows 8 was doomed last time MS did Windows on a Tablet.
They’re turning WIndows into a Tablet OS.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:10 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh, yes…
I love Pages/Numbers/Keynote but it can still be a pain sending stuff to the
Dinosaurs, sorry, my WIndows using customers.Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:11 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
I use Office on my Mac. I also primarily (and by choice) use Windows as a creative professional in the digital space, and I’m in my mid 20’s. So…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:47 PM EST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions
Talking about dinosaurs – do you still send Office files to people?
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:23 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, it is a requirement of their business.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 8:51 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
How long do you expect to keep your customers if you refer to them as dinosaurs?
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:30 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
The trick is not to do that to their faces:)
I have one customer who still does everyything by Fax
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:49 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
At least most Windows users don’t need Fisher Price’s “My First Computer” like you do.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 9:30 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That was my only hold up with the iPad. Though I personally like the Metro UI over apples.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
OneNote for iPad? Ok, now release a good wacom stylus with the next iPad and I will finally be able to ditch all my notebooks and pens. GAMECHANGER
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:13 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t think it’s just the Wacom stylus holding us back from ditching notebooks just yet, seems to have a bit to do with the iPad’s screen as well. That said, I find the Wacom stylus good, but it does need to be better.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:15 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
OneNote is already on iPhone, not sure if it plays nice with iPad though.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:18 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It works with it but its not a specific iPad app
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I wonder if this is to stem the tide of consumer-level customers slowly inching away from Office for Mac. iWork is a much easier sell on casual office productivity suite users at $49 than Office for Mac is right now at $119-$149. Or maybe Microsoft just remembered that they are a software company.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:14 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t think they ever forgot, they have probably been doing a lot of R&D for this. Microsoft is paying very close attention to user experience and seamless functionality. I’m expecting this to be great, Bing for iPad style.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:07 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Because most people think they need the full blown MS Office, while in reality what they need is a very simple spreadsheet program and a rich text editor.
Reality is that only Excel is the killer feature of MS Office.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Have you published a book using Pages or OpenOffice? It’s can be a very tedious process and only with Word was I able to do it (It wasn’t my book, I was doing it for someone else). Word’s advanced features are unmatched when it comes to consumer word processors.
Granted, most people don’t need those features, they are features used by millions, which is why they remain. To say Excel is the only killer program apart of the Office suite is highly inaccurate.
Posted on Dec 01, 2011 | 4:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
A few months ago I’d be excited, but since then I have used Office for Mac. It is ugly, unintuitive, bloated, and confusing.
Anyone who wants to do Office stuff on their iPad should stick with the iWork suite.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:14 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Which version of Office were you using? I have 2011 and it is very similar to 2010 for Windows and, in some ways, better.
If you are talking about 2008, however, it is a pile of fetid dingos kidneys.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:24 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
microsoft.. say it aint so.! it’s still not the full version of Office, though.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
A stripped-down Office is a godsend for users.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
So… Google Docs basically
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:06 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Which is why I won’t be priced as such.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Proper Word and Excel on the iPad would be amazing. Sure, other apps can open those filetypes, but they always seem to have niggling issues.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow Microsoft… sleeping with Apple and not Android? You already take 15 some-odd dollars from each ’droid sale, why not at least show you have some compassion for the mobile OS?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:25 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Microsoft and Apple have a common enemy in Google and MS are smart enough to realsie that Mac users may only be 10% of the population but they are a rich 10%
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:27 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
5.xx% to be exact :)
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 7:00 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah, the other 90% are.. um.. offices :S
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
They’re not taking $15 from every Android sale. Please quit trying to spread BS and FUD.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:40 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Because you can guarantee that people will buy it instead of pirating it.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 4:01 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
With iOS, they can make an iPad app and it not be available for the iPhone. I think this is key for them. They aren’t offering Office for iPhone/iPod Touch because it’s exclusive to Windows Phone at that level. But when it comes to tablets, they probably don’t care because having Office for iPad isn’t going to cannibalize their Windows/Office for Windows sales.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Not so much game changer as an attempt to restore the status quo. Can’t help thinking that it will be a half baked attempt to claw back some market share from iWork. Also ensures that Apple have an incentive to keep the iWork app updates coming out more than once a year.
Good for work but think I’ll probably end up staying with iWork for pure convenience… And doc sync via iCloud… Until they allow 3rd party use…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
since Microsoft is certainly working on a touch-based (and probably metro) version of office for windows 8, i wonder if this is based on the same interaction model and/or design. is this a prototype for the main thing (office for windows), is it developed in parallel, is it a port, or what?
i also wonder what it will look like on an iOS. can they keep the metro interaction model, but keep the iOS app look and feel?
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I keep going back and forth on this one. Microsoft is a software company first and a hardware maker second. This product would be very consistent with their philosophy that software rules the landscape.
But with the push to have a tablet out, Windows Phone 7, they seem to destroy the competitive advantage of owning a MS -OS based product. They make money either way and diversity is the smarter route to take,
Will their be a person who avoids buyinga laptop altogether?? I think so. The iPad is only 460 bucks now and it more portable than a PC and even the Macbook Air. If the response time is awesome and the features and not too compromising, I think they may have gutted their own hardware division sales potential. That was the hook!! Shit they had nothing else, that was the most unique aspect of MS was office was the best productivity tool around.
Or may this is a resignation that their hardware will be never be as competitive so why not join the winning team. I am an android person, but I am jealous of this development.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Windows 8 tablets are guaranteed to sell. Windows 8 tablets are going to be sold alongside desktops and notebooks. People want them and they’re waiting for them.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:25 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t think there are any guarantees. Certainly consumer interest in W8 tablets spiked when MS first talked about them, but it appears to be dropping fast. By the time that W8 actually hits iOS and android variants may be deeply entrenched in the tablet market.
http://allthingsd.com/20111129/window-closing-for-windows-ipad/
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:16 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The consumer doesn’t even know anything about Windows 8 out side of tech news area.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 10:11 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If they could make this work in a similar fashion to iWork, I’d be all over it.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:56 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
A product key-free a la carte Office Suite on the Mac App Store would be nice too.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 3:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If they use MetroUI on an iPad app I will squeal with ironic glee.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 5:01 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m 90% sure they wont. Microsoft usually follows the UI style of the platform their developing for. Look at the Hotmail app for iOS and Android, the OneNote app for iPad and Office for Mac.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
To those who think this is foolish for Microsoft to put their software on a competitors platform: Apple released iTunes on Windows. It was a success and they sold a ridiculous amount of iPods they otherwise wouldn’t have. Granted, the software has a desirable hardware attached to it, but I think the principle can apply, and to say this is foolish for Microsoft is well, foolish.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 5:49 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Hopefully they’ll finally bring footnotes to the iPad – that was the main thing that stopped me buying one, crazy I know, but a must for essay-writing students…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 6:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If I can sync office docs to my iPad then maybe getting a WP7 device isn’t that out of the question once my contract is up.
Well played, Microsoft. Well played…
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 6:19 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The apps will integrate with SkyDrive much like Windows Phone does. So it should all be very seamless.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 9:33 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
‘If you can Sync docs to your iPad’? You mean iCloud? The totally free cloud file sharing service?
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This is a no brained for MSFT. They current.y make $30 or less from WP license and Office is free. I bet they charge $45 for Office on the iPad/ iPhone and end up makin way more money. I know people who switched to iworks on their macs from using Office because they were using iWorks on their iPad/iPhone and poor compatibility between Office and iworks got them to switch.
I bet this is a $1B a year business for MSFT between iOS and Android versions.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 6:56 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Apple is already killing all the other tablets out there. With this, it will be a death knell. Not sure if Microsoft is thinking here.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:17 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I’d say this signals some pretty strong confidence within the company about their future tablet plans, a la Win8 – Office compatibility is one of the big reasons why IT departments have been slow to the ARM game, and this will go a long way to bringing down that barrier (though I don’t see any mention of Sharepoint integration…yet). MSFT’s tablet story had better be pretty compelling, or cost-effective – or both – or they’re risking handing a significant competitive advantage to a rival with a huge lead. Admittedly the category is very young, but Apple’s dominance in it is comparable to its position amongst PMPs witht the iPod, and no one ever came close to catching up in that race.
On the other hand, this might beat back potential competition from Docs and iWork and encourage people to migrate to the Live web services, so it’s definitely got a lot of potential strong points for MSFT as well.
Posted on Nov 29, 2011 | 11:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This is great news for the iPad. It will make it a far more productive tool in enterprise.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 12:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
There’s a format war going on. I dont think MS can afford for their word document format to be the dominant format. To not have Office running on iOS and its potential 200 million plus users would be suicidal. MS would be giving apple and google docs a chance to change the document format most people use.
In a few years time you will have people at companies creating docs in google or Pages etc.. and saving them in whatever format they want (e.g. the native pages/google formats). MS will end up supporting those formats because their customers would demand it. I think its a small price to pay for MS to have Office on at least the ipad.
The knock on effect of this will be that Google will have to make a native based client for their iOS apps in the future. Its getting silly now. Even facebook has a native client. Twitter etc.. How on earth Google can carry on rendering stuff in html and remain competitive with Office etc.? wont happen.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 4:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Cunning move by Microsoft. When Microsoft release their Windows 8 tablet, they would of had experience with Office on a tablet already, the iPad. In addition it will be easier for users to transfer to a Windows 8 tablet that has Office installed. This is a test phase and a way to transfer users off the iPad.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The strategy seems pretty clear to me; to prove a point.
Have an inferior / cut down version of office installed on OSX (more than likely at the same functionality as the office web apps you find within sky drive or maybe office 365).
Then release a fully functional office suite running on windows 8 under the metro UI to basically embarrass its ‘toy tablet’ counterparts on a feature by feature basis whilst maintaining the same experience within the tablet form factor.
This achieves two objectives, the first is that it sets a common benchmark across devices for customers to compare against; for consumers ‘toy tablets’ may be fine as a couch surfing device which allows you to take note of your shopping list and maybe calculate your weekly bills. Enterprise customers however, (Microsoft’s core market) require fully functional ’PC’’s to go about their daily business and what they are really after, is a ‘PC’ in a tablet form factor (windows 8 tablet) this then cements that idea by providing them with another comparable.
The second, is that this strategy will act as a carrot drawing many of the power users back to windows via a ‘windows 8 tablet pc’, whom require a much more feature rich experience than those found on OSX / Android (mobile OS) devices.
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 5:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
A Genius move that only 5 billion people asked for. Congratulations Microsoft on remembering you’re a software company.
Now, about that pricing…
Pages, Numbers for 10 bucks each…….
Posted on Nov 30, 2011 | 6:03 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
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