Microsoft is finally bringing Office to both iOS and Android next year, according to product manager Petr Bobek. The manager said this at a press event in the Czech Republic earlier today, claiming apps will be made available from March 2013. The software maker also had this to say “In addition to Windows, Office will be also available on other operating systems, Windows Phone, Windows RT, Mac OS, Android, iOS and Symbian.”
This news could confirm all the rumors that spread earlier this year about Microsoft Office hitting the iPad. A US spokesperson for Microsoft told The Verge the Seattle-based company has not yet announced retail availability for the new Office. “We have said previously Office Mobile will work across Windows Phones, Android phones and iOS.” Now with confirmation from the company, all we need to wait for is just details and more specifics.
That being said, this is a great move for Microsoft if it wants to get its top product out to every platform — something the company should have done a long time ago. Microsoft is a software company, so developing for the uber-popular Apple iOS and Google Android make sense in that regard.
Update: Microsoft has released the following statement on the matter:
The information shared by our Czech subsidiary is not accurate. We do not have anything further to share at this time.
[via The Verge]