Microsoft’s Office for iPad product was a great success last year, but the company did not bring its famous productivity suite to Android tablets at the same time. However, the company is getting closer to releasing an Android tablet optimized version of Office in the near future, as Microsoft on Thursday announced it’s taking registrations for a preview version of Office for Android tablets.
FROM EARLIER: You can use Microsoft Office for free on your iPhone or iPad starting right now
The news was somewhat buried into the company’s more important announcement — that it’s making Office for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones free for all users, no matter whether they actually have an Office 365 subscription or not.
“Preview of Office apps for Android tablet brings the productivity of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to Android tablet customers,” Microsoft wrote. “Customers can sign up for the Preview starting today. General availability is expected in early 2015.”
The company is also working on various other Office products supposed to launch next year, including Office for Mac and Office for Windows 10 devices.
Android tablet owners interested in trying Office for Android tablet out can sign up for it at the source link below, with a few screenshots and the official press release following below, via Android Police.
Microsoft brings Office to everyone, everywhere
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 6, 2014 — On Thursday, Microsoft Corp. took the next step to bring the productivity of Office to everyone with new Office apps and experiences for the iPhone and iPad, a preview of Office apps for Android tablets, and the ability for customers using these devices to create and edit Office content without a subscription.
“Anytime someone has an idea or an inspiration, we want to empower them to take action,” said John Case, corporate vice president, Office, Microsoft. “With over a billion Office customers worldwide, and over 40 million downloads on the iPad, it’s clear that Office applications are what people want to use to get things done.”
Starting today, iPhone and Android tablet customers can tap into the same experience that people with Office for iPad have enjoyed. Now, nearly everyone will be able to get more done, more quickly. Here are the details of the news:
- New Office for iPhone apps for Word, Excel and PowerPoint offer the same beautiful iPad experience, optimized for the iPhone. Customers can download the new apps today.
- Updated Office for iPad apps for Word, Excel and PowerPoint . Customers can download the new apps today.
- Preview of Office apps for Android tablet brings the productivity of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to Android tablet customers. Customers can sign up for the Preview starting today. General availability is expected in early 2015.
- More of Office for everyone. Beginning today, customers on iPhone, iPad and Android can create and edit Office content without a subscription. Now customers on nearly every mobile device and platform can do more with Office.
The company also presented an expanded look at the new “touch-optimized” Office for Windows 10. Additional details will be shared at a later date.
Complete functionality with Office 365
Customers get the best value and a complete set of features from an Office 365 subscription, including 1 terabyte of OneDrive online storage — with unlimited storage on the way. By subscribing, customers join a community of over 7.1 million active Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal subscribers and unlock the full productivity power of Office on every device they have.
Availability
The new Office for iPad and Office for iPhone apps are available in 29 languages and 136 countries. The apps require an iPad or iPhone running iOS 7.0 or later. The Office for Android tablet preview is available for sign-up beginning today.
More information about Thursday’s news can be found on the Official Microsoft blog.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
