“It appears Microsoft may finally unveil an iPad version of its bread and butter Office productivity suite,” Seth Weintraub reports for 9to5Mac. “More interestingly, the launch seems timed with a possible on stage presentation at the iPad 3 event in a few weeks.”
“Why would Apple, who has pushed the iWork apps for iPad since day one, want to give Microsoft a stage to showcase its competition? Moreover, why would Microsoft, who is readying its own Windows 8 tablets, want to empower Apple’s iPad with Office, thereby making its own Tablets less valuable when they hit the market …later?” Weintraub asks.
“Looking at Apple’s revenues and earnings, Apple makes what amounts to rounding errors on its software products when compared to hardware sales. With that said, Apple makes awesome software to sell its hardware. If Microsoft makes Office for iPad then it throws the doors wide open in Enterprise for iPad that saw a great deal more success than Macintosh ever did,” Weintraub reports. “For Microsoft, the motivation is getting its tablet software in front of as many eyes as it can before competitors get there first… In addition, I will bet Microsoft charges a significant amount more than $9.99 an app.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’ve also heard rumblings that Microsoft will participate in Apple’s rumored March 7 unveiling of their next-gen iPad and that was a major reason for Microsoft’s recent non-denial denial of Office for iPad.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Microsoft: Office for iPad story based on inaccurate rumors and speculation – February 21, 2012
Microsoft Office for iPad coming soon; no Android version planned – February 21, 2012
They say the ‘Devil’ is in the details. M$ is definitely the ‘Devil,’ so what are the details? 🙂
Ugh.
Why does this make me feel dirty?
I know why this makes me feel nauseated.
:-Q******
Something tells me Microsft Office on iPad will be Office Super Lite so “nothing to see here, go away.” It’s hampered non-abilities will only make Pages look that much better.
Yes, but does it matter if it’s Office SuperLiteweight? If it helps even a little in enterprise adoption, then I say bring it on.
Yeah, I’m also concerned that Microsoft is going to bring some crippled version of Office to the iPad just to make Apple look bad while offering some super slick version on their own Windows 8 tablets. I’m doubtful that Windows 8 tablets will catch much traction with consumers but who can tell before they’re even out.
I’m really surprised that Microsoft is creating a product for Apple that will compete against their own Windows tablet platform. I suppose the Windows 8 tablet will be running the standard desktop version of Office, though. However, if it really does help the iPad grab further sales from the corporate world, I’m all for it. I’ve been using Microsoft Office for Mac for years and years and I still feel comfortable with using it.
However, a crippled version of Office on iPad will outperform any slick version on a crippled tablet.
Well, Office on Windows or Mac for that matter is Office Super Bloat.
Office Super Light will be a refreshing change for the better.
I hope Tim Cook brings along an adequate supply of napkins to absorb the spittle that will inevitably fly when FatBoy Slim screams, “Developers, Developers, Developers!!!!!!!!!!!!” at the top of his lungs.
It would be hilarious if apple sets up splash shields in front of the audience. 🙂
Oh they been developing this iPad3 OFFICE for years – its solid and no spyware … they have a plan and they like it a lot…
if you can’t beat Apple join them – the WAR is on again and the TROJEN will be office on iPAD – careful now.
Only on stage in a monkey suit.
My gut says no, because Apple has no intention of giving the impression that it’s iOS needs Office. However, Microsoft’s and Apple’s goals have aligned against Google of late.
Interesting take, especially given Microsoft taking on Motorola. I’m guessing that Microsoft wants to kill android to open up a spot in mobile that they can slip into to make up for 5 years of no product. Looks like Cook & Co. worked out a sweet deal, partnering with Microsoft on Office, and giving it prominent space in the Mobile Market, while Microsoft declines to port it for Android, and along with taking on Motorola for abuse of FRAND Patents.
yup a big fu Google 🙂
IF THIS is TRUE – does iPAD3 run full apps like a desktop?
AND why will APPLE invite Microsoft in to the game?
Please welcome on stage someone who hates Google as much as we do, Steve Balmer!
Don’t forget Apple will get 30% of whatever Office costs.
Probably has more to do with Android. Microsoft is used to having Apple as a competitor which as a single supplier will always be limited in its ultimate market share. on the other hand Android as poor as it is at the moment on tablets is likely to be its major fear as it offers a similar approach to Microsoft itself especially in its ability to offer productivity products for its products. Apple has already taken the top of the market and if Android takes a hold on the lower end before MS can get traction in tablets (as in phones) then Microsoft is in serious trouble that would even threaten its PC market. So to get Office out there on iPad to show what it will do on Win8 tabs when it is unlikely to ever be on Android just might save it the market it is aiming at especially when it launches its own tabs as a true business tool. .
I can’t wait to see how MS butchers the already overly complex user interface of Office when they bring it to the iPad. With ribbons and the keyboard you will probably see about 1/2″ of your document. Add a bunch of multi-level, nested menus and you will have one glorious POS.
I do not think Apple needs this…
companies are starting to accept iPAD and there are alternatives to OFFICE…
This is a joke. I can’t believe this will happen.
Tablet software will also sell their desktop software. If they don’t do this, compatibility will always be a problem.
Mission 1: K-I-L-L Google / Android no matter what.
No iWork or Office for the droids. I hope so.
‘Welcome’ Microsoft.
Microsoft on-stage with Cook can only mean they’ve agreed to reasonable pricing for a rich feature set. It can’t be crap. This in turn means that MS is slaughtering their cash cow. They have no other option.
Even though I’m a fan of iWork, Office on the iPad would be really nice. But I don’t think this’ll happen. Office is a big, competitive advantage for MS due to its ubiquity. I don’t see too much upside, strategically, for porting it to the iPad, despite mini-apps like OneNote being available. MS is even bundling Office with their future tablet offerings as a carrot.
I guess we’ll see in a couple weeks. And I hope I’m wrong.
IF the corporate world of america needs Microsoft Office on a damn iPAD then OK — team up with corporate america then – not APPLE.
APPLE news to approve all apps so GOOD luck MICROSOFT… hope Apple filters out all the spy crap inside well.
Not that I would use it but why wouldn’t Apple allow want MS Office to run on the iPad?
As long as it follows the App process, they can’t exclude one company just because they might not like them. I believe that would be an abuse of power and doing so would bring plenty of legal heat. Plus, I can see where it might open some doors to selling iPads in corporate worlds or businesses where so many rely on MS Office.
Apple makes a cut, you appease some folks by getting it on the iPad, Apple sells more iPads. I see no reason why Apple would not want it available.
most rational post of the day
This can only be good news for Apple and Office consumers. It opens the door to the enterprise for Apple, adds much needed revenue to Microsoft, offsets losses in the consumer space for Microsoft, all the while keeping Office relevant at the same time.
Two things I’d like to see:
1- a great version of Outlook on the iPad. There is STILL nothing to compare in the App Store. Specifically; generating a reminder directly from an email onto either a calendar OR a decent to- do list and having that reminder or appt. link directly back to the original email.
2 – MS Project for OS 10 and iOS 5. I’m hoping MS has finally admitted that Project on the Mac is worthwhile to resurrect. Nothing since 2004.
Frenimies.
Target: Google
Steve B. will appear as a large head on a video screen, with boos from the audience. Apple will announce that Microsoft has invested $150M and will develop Office for the iOS for a guaranteed minimum of 5 years.
Wait a minute—does that sound familiar to anyone?
Thing some more about this issue, Microsoft may in fact be most concerned about the introduction of yet another vertically integrated competitor in Google….Microsoft can never move into this business model in a significant way.
Right now, at least with just Apple, Microsoft is guaranteed to be “the other company” evaluated. However, with a tightly integrated Google, and yet another company who starts to focus on TCO as the basis for making IT choices, it puts more pressure and can actually eliminate Microsoft from consideration in many many businesses if another fully integrated vendor can be directly compared to Apple as a choice.
I think Apple should rescue beleaguered microsoft with a 150 million dollar loan.
Yes, their “own” windows 8 tablets meaning the people who were stupid enough to
I think Apple has matured enough (as a company with the largest market cap on Earth; impressive innovator; a leader and not a follower etc) to drop this kind of “invite a key partner on the podium to validate or endorse the launch of our new product/service” thinking.
It no longer needs a Google, NYT or M$ to help convince consumers that its products and services are good. Bear in mind that each of these “partners” have led to divergent outcomes in the long run.
Apple must have the confidence to drop these double-acts.
And it should not give M$ preferential treatment of any kind over any other app developer.
Maybe some people don’t like the idea of MS Office on the iPad. But imagine it appearing exclusively on Android, instead…