Microsoft Brings Office to Android Smartphones
by Brandon Chester on June 24, 2015 2:22 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Microsoft
- Android
- Office
Today Microsoft announced that their line of Office applications has made its way to Android smartphones. After launching the first touch-optimized version of Office on the iPad, Microsoft has gradually been building out support for Android. It began with Office for Android first launching as a preview for ARM based tablets running KitKat, with the final release working on Lollipop. Shortly after, Microsoft began supporting Android tablets that use Intel processors, like the Dell Venue 8. Throughout all this, support for Android phones was still absent. With some Android devices having screens that are 6" or even larger, creating a version of Office for them actually made a lot of sense.
With today's release, Microsoft now supports essentially every Android device. Whether your screen is big or small, and your processor ARM or Intel, you'll be able to use Office on your Android device. Microsoft's partnerships with phone manufacturers mean that these apps will also come preloaded on many future smartphones and tablets.
Source: Microsoft Office Blog
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Tams80 - Thursday, June 25, 2015 - link
That's a ridiculous stance to take. First and foremost because you are saying just because someone else has done it well (some I contest regarding Google Docs), that no one else should bother. That's supporting a monopoly, and those rarely end well for the customer.Secondly, it suggests that Google Docs is a better product than Microsoft Office. It's subjective, but I think Office is far, far better.
Thirdly, Microsoft have had an office cloud service for several years. It's changed names a few times, and I think been completely replaced once, but it has existed.
p1esk - Friday, June 26, 2015 - link
You made good points. However, MS failed to give me a reason to try their product. How are they better than Google Docs? Besides, when I installed MS Office Mobile a week ago (this was a few days before this announcement, so it might still had been a beta at that point) they didn't give "skip" option. I was stuck at the page demanding MS account, when all I wanted was to open a powerpoint document someone emailed me. So instead of motivating me to try their cloud based features, they were making my life harder. Of course, at that point I aborted the installation, and installed Google Slides app, which opened the slides without a hitch (maybe because I was already signed in to Google services, since I'm using Gmail, I have no idea, but I don't care).10 years ago Google successfully persuaded me to switch to Gmail from my long time Yahoo account. They gave me 3 good reasons: First, they showed me how slick and modern their interface looks compared to Yahoo at the time (I think it was AJAX-based, or something like that, looked fantastic compared to the old and tired Yahoo UI). Second, their spam filter worked really well. With Yahoo, I was getting something like 10-20 spam emails every week, with Gmail, I maybe got 1 per month. Finally, they had a killer feature: conversation view. As soon as I saw how it works, I wanted it.
That's how you compete.
PubFiction - Sunday, June 28, 2015 - link
No one uses google docs except people who cannot afford MS office. Office online is already way ahead of them and has been for a while.TeXWiller - Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - link
Probably the "forced" experience during Windows install somewhat sours the relationship to the concept. Microsoft fails to communicate anything about additional value of the account for desktop users. The various form factors don't just impact the UIs, but the ways services are used.jay401 - Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - link
LOL! Who would ever do that? That's what Google Drive is for. You know, the account I'm already signed into because I'm on an ANDROID DEVICE. gg MS.frostyfiredude - Thursday, June 25, 2015 - link
Lots of people have different preferences for their services while still using Android as their phone OS. Kinda obviousTams80 - Thursday, June 25, 2015 - link
They're releasing a product on a rivals service. HOW DARE THEY PUSH THEIR OWN SERVICES!frostyfiredude - Thursday, June 25, 2015 - link
It doesn't, hit skip.kspirit - Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - link
WHY does Microsoft insist on making these apps, "US Only"? I have to sideload these, OneNote (which doesn't work at all on my Xperia Z2), and even Office Lens. Goddammit, Microsoft!lilmoe - Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - link
frustrating and makes no sense whatsoever.....................