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Microsoft losing billions for not releasing Office for iPad

By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, February 21st, 2013 at 1:12 AM

Microsoft could be making few more billions if it releases Office for iPad, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst. The finance firm’s Adam Holt thinks that if priced at around $60, some 30% of iPad users would buy the software, generating up to $2.5 billion for the Redmond-based giant, even after Apple has taken its own cut.

The thinking must be to save the Office for Windows-based platforms and make that a unique selling point of tablets running Microsoft’s platform. That, apparently, is easier said than done, with Ballmer & Co. still struggling to excite enough buyers for their Surface tablet. Perhaps that will change this year, though as far as we can tell, for the time being – Apple will continue to dominate the tablet game.

Microsoft’s decision may change in the future as it realizes there’s money to be made across other platforms. Morgan Stanley’s Holt believes that “the company may ultimately decide there is more upside with Office on iPads, particularly if Win tablets fall short of expectations.” We’ll see how that goes…

[Via: MobileWorldLive]

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

  • PeterSteinbeck

    Well if Microsoft takes this route no one will want their Surface tablet…

  • Gregory C Newman

    Microsoft wants People to buy Office on a subscription basis where you pay a yearly fee for it and can put it on 5 PC’s or other devices of your choice. the problem is Apple wants a cut of the money if an apple Iphone or Ipad owner wants to have it on their devices. Apple wont take a lower cut that will suit Microsoft. Microsoft can and will make a 2013 Office non subscription version for Imacs and Mac Pro tower computers but apple Iphone and Ipad owners wont get get Office due to apple’s apps store fee arguments with Microsoft