Viewing and editing Microsoft Office documents on a smart phone is every child's dream, and now it looks like that dream may have a release date. The much-anticipated Office apps for iOS and Android have been tipped to land in the first few months of 2013 -- although it seems Android fans may be kept waiting a little longer.
The Verge cites "several sources close to Microsoft's plans", who reckon the software will arrive for iOS devices in late February or early March, while the Android edition is scheduled for May -- two months later.
That could prove a frustrating delay for fans of Google's green robot, but developers have been known to take longer to get Android apps out the door.
The BBC, for example, blames device fragmentation, among other factors, but you'd hope Microsoft would have the clout to release apps simultaneously across platforms. We'll just have to wait and see.
The upcoming Office apps will reportedly let you ogle Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents, though to do so you'll need to sign in using a Microsoft account. Even then there's no editing allowed unless you purchase an Office 365 subscription.
Office 365 subscriptions come in several different flavours, but the 'small business' edition that gives you web-based document viewing and editing costs £4.25 per month, so it's possible that's how much you'll be asked to fork out to use these new apps.
It's reckoned you'll be able to buy a subscription from within the app, so at least Microsoft would be making it convenient to deprive you of your hard-won cash in exchange for tinkering with files from your phone. It's not expected that editing will be as fully featured as the regular ol' desktop version of Office.
It's hardly the most exotic software on the horizon, but for the millions of people out there who use Android or Apple gadgets and rely on Office for work, this could be a life-saver -- even if Microsoft's charging you or your company for the privilege.
What do you think Microsoft should do with its Office software? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
Image credit: The Verge
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Comments 7
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anonymous 8 November, 2012 12:01
The fact that you need to pay for an Office365 Subscription to do any kind of editing with the document makes it practically pointless for many, especially with very good alternatives already on Android.
Office 365 itself is pretty good, but as far as this goes I can see WP8 and Surface being a lot more useful for small businesses and enterprises.
Sorry iOS and Droid users, not much to see here....
LancesUK 8 November, 2012 12:22
I don't know much about iOS, but on Android there are several alternatives. I use Kingston Office and it works just fine. Not sure why I would want to pay for MS's Office, unless it brings really unique features, which I doubt.
CaptainPicard 8 November, 2012 12:27
Microsoft Office software is the thing I like most about Microsoft. Its so perfect I haven't really looked at alternatives. But would I pay to have it on my phone?? Nope. Why pay for something when I can get a similar product for free and can easily download it. Having said that though all the ''Office like" software I downloaded so far on my phone are not perfect, I feel something is missing.
anonymous 8 November, 2012 15:46
Although there is no doubt that MS Office is one of the positive things Microsoft has generally got right... Paying for what is likely to be vastly reduced functioning version on a mobile device? That price equates to potentially hundreds of pounds a year. £102 for one device for *ONE year*.
It's taxing enough (but fair play) paying for the full CD/DVD ROM/download version for your computer that one time to last you the next 5+ years. Therefore, having paid already for a licence to run MS Office on a computer, it should grant you the rights to use an 'app' version on your other devices. In fact I think that people who already own an exisiting legitamite copy of the software or who are going to buy the latest copy for their computer should be provided with a key enabling the user access to the mobile app.
After all, why should it matter which computer of yours you are using the software on as it is unlikely you would ever be using the devices at the same time. But to be expected to pay extra to use the all ready-paid-for service on another device when it is largely commonplace for most people to be 'on the go' these days I think is not the best way forward for a software company to treat consumers.
Jason Alexander 8 November, 2012 18:26
£4.25 per month? I guess if you really need or want it you will pay but I've been using pages on iOS for the last two and a half years, one off payment of £4.99 and the ability to send MSOffice compatible docs or much more importantly as PDFs.
However choice is good!
CaptainPicard 9 November, 2012 09:25
LancesUK, I just tried Kingston Office, its the best mobile Office app Ive used, thanks for bringing it to my attention.
anonymous 10 November, 2012 09:21
Yeah... iOS users may be desperate to rush and spend money, but for me no need on Android. Currently there are 2 alternatives like Kingston Office or Polar Office. These 2 are more than enough for me. I am heavily using O365 and Office 2013, but I do not believe that MS will deliver something really cool in mobile area. They are too late. Outlook on WP 8 is oversimplified. I would love however to have mobile view on O365.