Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has finally confirmed that a version of
Office is in the works for the iPad. During a speaking engagement at a
Gartner event in Florida, Ballmer said
support for the iPad would be picked up once there is a touch first
user interface which likely means, it’ll arrive after a Windows version
is released.
The touch first user interface that Ballmer mentioned is already in progress, he said.
Rumors of Office for iPad date back to when the first tablet was
launched in early 2010. The Daily, the now defunct iPad-only news app, reported
in November 2011 that an app for the iPad was in the works and even
provided photographic evidence. Microsoft at the time denied the
accusations and said the story was based on inaccurate rumors and
speculation.
A version of Office for iOS
did arrive earlier this year but it was limited to the iPhone. The
Office 365 app requires a subscription to the Office 365 service to use,
however. It grants access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents while
on the go. At the time, Microsoft suggested iPad users could use Office
Web Apps via their web browser.
It is not known at this hour whether or not the iPad version will
require an Office 365 subscription nor do we know exactly when it will
be released. If previously leaked roadmaps are to be believed, however,
Microsoft likely won’t get around to launching the app until late next
year.
~ Shawn Knight
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