New Delhi, November 7 – Starting today the full version of Microsoft Office is free for consumers using iPhones, iPads and Android phones. Unlike earlier when the apps were available for free but full functionality required a subscription to Office 365, the updated Office apps like MS Word, MS Excel and Ms PowerPoint will offer both editing and opening of the Office files for free to smartphone and tablet users.
Microsoft on Thursday also announced the Office (Preview Version) for Android tablets. The final version of the Office optimised for Android tablets will be available in early 2015.
“Anytime someone has an idea or an inspiration, we want to empower them to take action,” said John Case, corporate vice president, Office, Microsoft. “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.”
“With Office on nearly every device, it’s incredibly important to us that customers have a consistent experience and the ability to do more – anywhere and everywhere.
So, starting today, people can create and edit Office content on iPhones, iPads, and soon, Android tablets using Office apps without an Office 365 subscription,” Case wrote on the company’s official blog .
While rest of the world moved to Android devices, iPhones and iPads, until now Microsoft tried to use MS Office to lure consumers to its own devices such as computers powered by Windows.
However, after Satya Nadella took over Microsoft, the company has said it would commit itself to serve consumers on all platform, irrespective of the device they use.
The free MS Office comes with a few riders. The apps are free only for personal use. Also, a subscription to the Office 365 would be required for additional value-add features.
“Office 365 subscribers will continue to benefit from the full Office experience across devices with advanced editing and collaboration capabilities, unlimited OneDrive storage, Dropbox integration and a number of other benefits,” wrote Case.
-INDIA TODAY
