Word War III: Microsoft Office for iPad rumored, leaked, and denied

Microsoft appears to be holding off on introducing its Office for iOS and Android versions. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley reports that Microsoft has decided to introduce its mobile Office variants later than originally planned. The Verge originally revealed Office for iOS in November, with an expected release early this year. Foley claims a roadmap for the future of Office includes release dates for Android and iOS in October 2014.

The software giant is currently working on "Metro-style" versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote that will likely debut later this year. The leaked roadmap reportedly includes references to a new Office for Mac release in April 2014 alongside an Office RT and Office for Windows Phone refresh. If the dates are accurate then it's likely that Microsoft pushed back the planned release of its Office for iOS software to ensure full touch-friendly versions of its Windows clients were available.

Microsoft confirmed earlier reports that the company's SkyDrive iOS app update has been delayed by Apple, but it appears the issues are bigger than just SkyDrive. All Things D reports that Apple and Microsoft are locked in a battle over a 30 percent cut of Office 365 subscriptions for Office Mobile. The Verge exclusively revealed details on Office Mobile for iOS, including plans for a subscription version to edit documents on the iPhone and iPad.

Microsoft has been reportedly pushing Apple to adjust its developer license agreement that splits the cost of subscription services between a developer and Apple 70 / 30 percent. All Things D says Apple is sticking to its rules instead of negotiating a special deal for Microsoft. The additional disagreements explain why Microsoft's latest SkyDrive iOS app has been put on hold. A company spokesperson confirmed to The Verge earlier today that it is "in contact with Apple regarding the matter and hope to come to a resolution," for the SkyDrive app.

Microsoft has confirmed the existence of its Office Mobile for iPhone, Excel, and PowerPoint iPad apps in newly posted support documents at the company's official Office site. Spotted by Mac4ever, the documents only confirm the naming, but do not shed any light on the features expected in Office Mobile for iPhone and iPad. Microsoft's US support sitedoes not include the references, but the company's Romanian version has them on display.

The Verge exclusively revealed the look and feel of Office Mobile for iPhone last month after Microsoft has remained quiet about its plans for the software. Office Mobile will debut as a free app for iOS and Android, providing basic viewing functionality. We also understand, from sources familiar with Office Mobile for iOS, that the company will allow free users to edit up to 25 documents before a subscription version is required. Microsoft's Czech Republic subsidiary revealed the existence of Office Mobile apps for iOS and Android back in October. We expect the iOS variant to be made available in late February or early March, with an Android version planned for May.

Microsoft's Office for iPad, iPhone, and Android is a reality. Although Office Mobile has been rumored and reportedly spotted in the wild, Microsoft has remained persistently quiet about its plans for the product. The Verge has learned through several sources close to Microsoft's plans that the company will release Office versions for Android and iOS in early 2013.

Office Mobile will debut in the form of free apps that allow Android and iOS users to view Microsoft Office documents on the move. Like the existing SkyDrive and OneNote apps, Office Mobile will require a Microsoft account. On first launch, a Microsoft account will provide access to the basic viewing functionality in the apps. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents will all be supported, and edit functionality can be enabled with an Office 365 subscription.

Microsoft product manager Petr Bobek has confirmed that the software maker is planning to release native iOS and Android versions of Office 2013 next year. Speaking at a press event in the Czech Republic earlier today, Bobek told Czech site IHNED that native apps will be made available from March 2013.

A press release, seen by The Verge, from Microsoft's Czech Republic team confirms the availability for iOS and Android. "In addition to Windows, Office will be also available on other operating systems, Windows Phone, Windows RT, Mac OS, Android, iOS and Symbian," says Microsoft, while separately noting that there will also be a new version of Office Web Apps too. Office for iPad has long been rumored to be in the works, offering iOS users a way to access Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents from Apple's tablet and phone devices.

We're not sure exactly what Microsoft is referring to, but it looks like we'll find out soon enough what the company's actual plans are for iOS.

Microsoft has branded a photo of Office for iPad fake after a story appeared today claiming the software maker is planning to release a version in the coming weeks. "The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation," said a Microsoft spokesperson to us today. The company also told ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley that The Daily's alleged picture of Office running on an iPad "is not a real picture of a Microsoft software product." The image depicted a rumored version of Office for iPad with access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Microsoft is rumored to be preparing an Office version for the iPad, that may appear before a tablet optimized version of Office for Windows 8. Microsoft's Office 15 software, designed for Windows tablets, is currently in the pre-beta stages and will run as a desktop app on Windows 8 with interface and touch improvements.

Microsoft's rumored Office for iPad application appears to have leaked into the wild this week. The Daily revealed an exclusive picture of what it claims is Microsoft Office running on Apple's iPad tablet today. We are unable to immediately verify the photo, but the interface includes Excel, Word, and PowerPoint icons as well as the ability to create new documents. There is also a settings, Messenger and search section, similar to icons found on Microsoft's MSN and Bing iPad applications.

We understand that Microsoft's Mac Business Unit has been working on Office for iPad and The Daily claims it could be released in a number of weeks following a submission to Apple's App Store. The design of the application appears to match Microsoft's Metro style, used on Windows Phone, Xbox 360 and the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Microsoft's existing OneNote iOS app will reportedly be updated to a Metro design as well, but there is no sign of an Office for Android version. Microsoft is planning its own Office for Windows 8, that may appear later than Office for iPad. Currently in the pre-beta stages, Office 15 will run as a desktop app across Windows 8 and includes interface and touch improvements.