Microsoft Has Full Versions of Office for iPad, iPhone Just Waiting to be Released

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Posted March 14, 2014 at 5:53pm by Shalom Levytam

Microsoft has full versions of Office for iPad and iPhone just waiting for the company's new CEO to pull the trigger, reports Reuters.

Chief Executive Satya Nadella, who took over as Microsoft's CEO in February, wants to widen Office's customer base but has to balance that with the importance of Office to Windows which benefits greatly from integration with the software.

"We have some pretty exciting plans," said John Case, the top Office marketing executive, about the future of Office. "Certainly, interest in Office on the iPad is extreme. When they (customers) want to do real work, they are going to want to use Office."

Reuters reports that according to one analyst, Microsoft is losing $2.5 billion a year in revenue by not offering Office for iPad.

"Office is being disenfranchised on the hottest growth platforms," Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund wrote in a note to clients. "Maybe it is time to focus on Office independent of Windows."

Some say it's already too late for Office on iOS and Android. What do you think? Notably, Microsoft has revealed that it will launch a new version of Office for Mac this year.

Microsoft Has Full Versions of Office for iPad, iPhone Just Waiting to be Released

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Amir - March 15, 2014 at 6:30pm

Office on iPad will require an Office 365 subscription. Microsoft didn't learn anything from Google for the last 10 or so years.

Bugged Out - March 14, 2014 at 11:22pm

Here comes the new iOS version, same buggy software as the old version.

Nitro Junkie - March 14, 2014 at 6:56pm

Even though they'd made tons of money from the sales of an iOS version I think they're afraid that if they do release it nobody will buy the surface or other windows tablets/hybrids anymore. Because that's really the only reason people buy them is having a portable office program.

sonivEX - March 14, 2014 at 8:06pm

I have both and let me tell you. As much as I love Apple and its products, the iPad is a toy if compared to the Surface. I am not trying to start fanboy war or anything, this is just the way I see it.

Kr00 - March 15, 2014 at 7:51am

Calling the iPad a toy is a misunderstanding. The iPad is used in many ways: productivity, graphic design, POS systems, electronic funds transfer, books, audiobooks, gaming, desktop publishing, home automation, professional sound mixing (The Gorillaz's last 2 albums have been completely created on the iPad), and many more third-party apps that outperform the Surface. Messaging, note, calendar, contact and photograph synchronisation, shall I go on? It is a very capable device. Next time, try something a little more constructive.