Microsoft Office for iOS Said to Launch in Early 2013, Offer Only Basic Functionality

MacRumors · Nov 7, 2012, 08:36 AM

There has been a significant amount of discussion about Microsoft's rumored plans to bring Office to iOS devices, and The Verge now weighs in with additional details and a few screenshots from the project. According to the report, Office Mobile for iOS and Android will launch in early 2013 but will not offer anything close a true Office experience, with the editing functionality it does offer coming through an Office 365 subscription.

Quote:

Office Mobile will debut in the form of free apps that allow Android and iOS users to view Microsoft Office documents on the move. Like the existing SkyDrive and OneNote apps, Office Mobile will require a Microsoft account. On first launch, a Microsoft account will provide access to the basic viewing functionality in the apps. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents will all be supported, and edit functionality can be enabled with an Office 365 subscription.

Microsoft will allow iOS users to purchase an Office 365 subscription within the app, or let organizations distribute codes to enable Office Mobile editing for users. The apps will allow for basic editing, but we're told this won't go very far in attempting to replace regular full use of a desktop Office version.

The report indicates that Office Mobile for iOS is currently planned for launch in late February or early March, with the Android version following several months later.

Article Link: Microsoft Office for iOS Said to Launch in Early 2013, Offer Only Basic Functionality

Kaibelf · Nov 7, 2012, 08:37 AM

That's all I needed to hear. Time to download Pages and such. MS, I'm done.

xjosh · Nov 7, 2012, 08:38 AM

2. to comment, 2. last to get laid.

Rudy69 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:38 AM

Took this long to offer "basic functionality"? Why bother then? There's already applications that can open Office documents.

inspirations365 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:39 AM

Good plan, MS. I wish it was out already, but this will do too.

unplugme71 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:40 AM

I'm sure functionality will improve. It's going to be version 1.0 so not much is to be expected. I'd like to see the ability to write in Word even though some advanced features are disabled without subscription.

inspirations365 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy69

Took this long to offer "basic functionality"? Why bother then? There's already applications that can open Office documents.

But they aren't officially supported. That goes a long way in the corporate sector, where Office is indispensible. And with more corporations using iOS devices, cross-platform compatibility is not a bad thing.

Plus, needing a 360 sub for additional functionality will generate some money as well. This is the best thing MS could have done.

QCassidy352 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:42 AM

Sounds like a step back from the 3rd party solutions that already exist.

Marx55 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:43 AM

PowerPoint for iOS: the ultimate presentation tool.

MonkeySee.... · Nov 7, 2012, 08:43 AM

When the surface goes tits up, iOS will then get full functionality with a small upgrade price.

Sound214 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM

I don't get it. You can already view Office documents on iOS. You can also both view, edit and create .doc files in Pages, which costs merely $9.99, once, no need for a subscription.

1080p · Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM

So... Microsoft is going to kick 30% to Apple for subscriptions to the Office 365 service? Isn't part of the T&C of the AppStore?

notjustjay · Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM

What a great idea! That's just what I always wanted, to pay for the same app functionality over and over again, year after year.

daneoni · Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Microsoft Office for iOS Said to Launch in Early 2013, Offer Only Basic Functionality

In which case they might as well not bother.

Wordman · Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM

Well bang goes my idea of using a wireless keyboard with my iPad for Office. A Macbook Pro it is then.

TheGenerous · Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM

Isn't docstogo available since 2010? It can edit office documents AFAIK (basic options)

Worksafe · Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM

"Microsoft will allow iOS users to purchase an Office 365 subscription within the app, or let organizations distribute codes to enable Office Mobile editing for users. The apps will allow for basic editing, but we're told this won't go very far in attempting to replace regular full use of a desktop Office version."

No use wasting room of iOS for junk from Microsoft.

Avatarshark · Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM

Honestly I hope basic functionality means I could edit, save, upload and download file from device, like with file apps or at least skydrive option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sound214

I don't get it. You can already view Office documents on iOS. You can also both view, edit and create .doc files in Pages, which costs merely $9.99, once, no need for a subscription.

The thing is that all of my documents are using the new standard of .docx

VulchR · Nov 7, 2012, 08:54 AM

WTF is Office365?

Sound214 · Nov 7, 2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatarshark

The thing is that all of my documents are using the new standard of .docx

So? .docx works too. I don't know if you can save it as docx, but you sure as hell can view and edit .docx

Renzatic · Nov 7, 2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulchR

WTF is Office365?

Like Google Docs, but Office.

ChrisTX · Nov 7, 2012, 09:04 AM

Whether MS likes it or not, iOS is the dominant mobile OS with business. And the iPad is the standard all other tablets strive to be. I don't need or want limited function Office. I want full featured Office, and have no problem paying for it either.

saud0488 · Nov 7, 2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sound214

I don't get it. You can already view Office documents on iOS. You can also both view, edit and create .doc files in Pages, which costs merely $9.99, once, no need for a subscription.

But Pages always has, and always will, suck.

Confuzzzed · Nov 7, 2012, 09:08 AM

Office is the only thing MS has going for it and its only chance to be at the table in the post-PC era. Shame they haven't quite realised that yet

bazinga!! · Nov 7, 2012, 09:09 AM

Microsoft truly missed a lot of revenue by not offering Office for iOS all these years.

Nov 7, 2012, 08:38 AM	#3
xjosh macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Denmark	2. to comment, 2. last to get laid. __________________ http://www.speedtest.net/result/1167598583.png
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 08:38 AM	#4
Rudy69 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2009	Took this long to offer "basic functionality"? Why bother then? There's already applications that can open Office documents. __________________ My Games: Tangled; QuadPong; West Code Studios
	26

Nov 7, 2012, 08:42 AM	#8
QCassidy352 macrumors G3 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, MA	Sounds like a step back from the 3rd party solutions that already exist.
	11

Nov 7, 2012, 08:43 AM	#10
MonkeySee.... macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK	When the surface goes tits up, iOS will then get full functionality with a small upgrade price. __________________ iMac - iPhone - iPad - Apple TV - AirPort Extreme Phil Dunphy: Always keep the rhythm in your feet and a little party in your shoulders.
	16

Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM	#11
Sound214 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sweden	I don't get it. You can already view Office documents on iOS. You can also both view, edit and create .doc files in Pages, which costs merely $9.99, once, no need for a subscription. __________________ Retina Macbook Pro, 2.3 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 256 SSD ; 32 GB 3G iPad (3:rd Gen) ; 32 GB iPhone 5 ; Apple TV 2 & 3
	15

Nov 7, 2012, 08:37 AM	#2
Kaibelf macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL	That's all I needed to hear. Time to download Pages and such. MS, I'm done.
	13

Nov 7, 2012, 08:39 AM	#5
inspirations365 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2008	Good plan, MS. I wish it was out already, but this will do too.
	1

Nov 7, 2012, 08:40 AM	#6
unplugme71 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2011	I'm sure functionality will improve. It's going to be version 1.0 so not much is to be expected. I'd like to see the ability to write in Word even though some advanced features are disabled without subscription.
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 08:43 AM	#9
Marx55 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005	PowerPoint for iOS: the ultimate presentation tool.
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM	#12
1080p macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Planet Earth	So... Microsoft is going to kick 30% to Apple for subscriptions to the Office 365 service? Isn't part of the T&C of the AppStore? __________________ 21.5" iMac (2011) \| Hackintosh HTPC with Intel C2Q 8400, Nvidia 7900GS \| Synology NAS \| iPhone 5 White 32GB (AT&T)
	9

Nov 7, 2012, 08:44 AM	#13
notjustjay macrumors 603 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada, eh?	What a great idea! That's just what I always wanted, to pay for the same app functionality over and over again, year after year. __________________ .
	6

Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM	#15
Wordman macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2010	Well bang goes my idea of using a wireless keyboard with my iPad for Office. A Macbook Pro it is then.
	3

Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM	#16
TheGenerous macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: I'm an Austronaut	Isn't docstogo available since 2010? It can edit office documents AFAIK (basic options) __________________ I have a cool Alf picture in my profile!
	1

Nov 7, 2012, 08:47 AM	#17
Worksafe macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2010	Not worth it Microsoft "Microsoft will allow iOS users to purchase an Office 365 subscription within the app, or let organizations distribute codes to enable Office Mobile editing for users. The apps will allow for basic editing, but we're told this won't go very far in attempting to replace regular full use of a desktop Office version." No use wasting room of iOS for junk from Microsoft.
	6

Nov 7, 2012, 08:54 AM	#19
VulchR macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Scotland	WTF is Office365? __________________ My first was a Mac+. Now I own an iPhone with 3.5x the pixels, a colour display, WiFi, 512x the RAM, >1500x the data storage, and 100x the speed. And it fits in the palm of my hand.
	5

Nov 7, 2012, 09:04 AM	#22
ChrisTX macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas	Whether MS likes it or not, iOS is the dominant mobile OS with business. And the iPad is the standard all other tablets strive to be. I don't need or want limited function Office. I want full featured Office, and have no problem paying for it either. __________________ Thanks Steve for all of the awesome technology! Proud owner of an early 2011 15" MacBook Pro, First gen 15" MacBook Pro, iPad 3, Apple TV, Galaxy SIII, and numerous iPods.
	3

Nov 7, 2012, 09:08 AM	#24
Confuzzzed macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Liverpool, UK	Office is the only thing MS has going for it and its only chance to be at the table in the post-PC era. Shame they haven't quite realised that yet
	2

Nov 7, 2012, 09:09 AM	#25
bazinga!! macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Belgium	Microsoft truly missed a lot of revenue by not offering Office for iOS all these years. __________________ 13" MBP late 2011 thunderbolt display iPhone 4S 16gb white iPod nano 6th gen iPad mini
	2

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode