You can now edit your docs from your phone. For free! Students can now finish their research papers on the way to class. Microsoft announced early this month that mobile users would now have full access to their Office Suite, which brings productivity to the iPhone, iPad, and now Android users all without an Office 365 subscription, making it free for personal use. This release offers fully-functional Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook for all mobile devices free of charge, all that is needed is a Microsoft account. |
However, a login associated with a paid desktop version is required for the app to be completely legit for business users. Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Office John Case is very optimistic about the release, saying that “with over a billion Office customers worldwide, and over 40 million downloads on the iPad, it’s clear that Office applications are what people want to use to get things done.”
The mobile apps are very similar to the Home and Office desktop version of the Office Suite, but are optimized for tablets and phones. Editing documents on the go is now quick and easy; the documents can be opened from the iCloud, OneDrive, and Dropbox (which, if connected to your computer, can open documents that have recently been viewed on that computer). Once opened from one of the cloud storages, the document formatting remains intact and will save and open on any computer with the same format and edits completed on a mobile device. Documents can also be attached to emails and sent in the proper format. This is game-changing for students who were either too busy to remember to make those last few edits on their paper, or procrastinated like a true champ. Documents can be created, edited, and sent out all from the palm of your hand.
The mobile apps are very similar to the Home and Office desktop version of the Office Suite, but are optimized for tablets and phones. Editing documents on the go is now quick and easy; the documents can be opened from the iCloud, OneDrive, and Dropbox (which, if connected to your computer, can open documents that have recently been viewed on that computer). Once opened from one of the cloud storages, the document formatting remains intact and will save and open on any computer with the same format and edits completed on a mobile device. Documents can also be attached to emails and sent in the proper format. This is game-changing for students who were either too busy to remember to make those last few edits on their paper, or procrastinated like a true champ. Documents can be created, edited, and sent out all from the palm of your hand.
Why didn’t Microsoft think of this years ago? We’ve all had our iPhones and tablets for some time now and a decent amount of us have already replaced our old laptops and desktops with iPads and other tablets, and those who haven’t might be convinced to do so now. It’s possible that they were just trying to stick it to the man and not give anything to Apple as an attempt to get people to remain Windows users. However, the more likely reason was that this was a very practical decision. Many users found that they didn’t actually need the Office Suite when there are a variety of alternatives like Google Drive. However, most people, me included, will still argue that Microsoft Office is still the best productivity software on the market, but there was a recent incongruence in the amount of people who like using Office and the sales of the actual program. InformationWeek reported that “…consumer sales are down, especially if you don't count Office 365 revenue. Microsoft's bow to free iOS and Android apps was inevitable. “
As of now, any Apple device running iOS 7.0 or later is able to utilize these new apps; Android apps are not yet completed, but users can download the preview now, testing the apps before their expected 2015 full release.
Microsoft also teased an expanded look at a newer “touch-optimized” Suite for Windows 10, but did not give many details about it. It will most likely also be available on all mobile devices as well.
-Ryan Sonntag, Contributing Writer
As of now, any Apple device running iOS 7.0 or later is able to utilize these new apps; Android apps are not yet completed, but users can download the preview now, testing the apps before their expected 2015 full release.
Microsoft also teased an expanded look at a newer “touch-optimized” Suite for Windows 10, but did not give many details about it. It will most likely also be available on all mobile devices as well.
-Ryan Sonntag, Contributing Writer