14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently introduced OneNote for Mac and word is that the company is giving the final touches to Office for iPad, which means that Redmond is finally ready to expand in a market clearly dominated by its long-time rival Apple.
While Microsoft’s efforts to bring more applications on Apple’s platforms make sense given the fact that shareholders are pressuring the chief executives to switch the focus from Windows to other key products, it turns out that Mac users are really impressed with the features integrated into Microsoft’s own apps.
OneNote for Mac has gained so much in popularity in the last days that it took over the leading position in the “Best New Apps” charts in the Mac Store, while other applications bearing Microsoft’s badge are also among the most downloaded apps on Apple computers.
OneDrive and Microsoft Remote Desktop are also gaining positive feedback, so the software giant has every reason to continue focusing on applications designed to work on other platforms.
Just like The Verge’s Tom Warren points out, this could also be an indication that bringing Office on iPad is quite a smart decision, even though some people previously said that Redmond might be late to the party. Several freeware productivity suites have already launched on Apple devices, so choosing Office might not make much sense for some users.
And still, Microsoft has a plan and according to the details we have right now, it might really do the right thing by launching Office on iPad.
Users would, however, be allowed to create and edit documents on their tablets, which means that productivity on the go would finally be possible with a Microsoft software solution for Apple fans as well.
Keeping Office for iPad affordable is a priority, so Microsoft recently launched Office 365 Personal, a new subscription plan aimed at individuals, that comes with a price tag of only $6.99 (€5.05) per month or $69.99 (€50.5) per year and supports one PC or Mac and one tablet to be connected at the same time.
Other plans will continue to be available, but it’s pretty clear that Microsoft knows that competition is getting fiercer in this field, so the Personal package would remain the ace up its sleeve in its attempt to win the hearts of Apple fanboys.