The rumour mills have buzzing for quite some time now about Microsoft working on native compatibility for its Office apps on Google’s Android OS and Apple iOS. With both Android and iOS now ruling the roost among Operating Systems for mobile devices, it would seem more to Microsoft’s advantage to develop a version of the Office Suite, or at least most used Office apps for both these ecosystems.
At a press conference earlier today, Microsoft Czech Republic Product manager, Petr Bobek confirmed that native Android and iOS ports of Office 2013 were in the works and would be available in March 2013. In a separate instance, tech website The Verge also reported having seen a press release sent out by Microsoft’s Czech Republic office, confirming that Office is indeed headed towards Android, iOS and Symbian platforms. Microsoft already has an Office suite for mobile devices running Windows Phone and Symbian. However, Microsoft’s Office Mobile website only claims OneNote and Lync support for iOS and Android.
Inquiries made with Microsoft however, did not however receive any responses to corroborate the above claims, but then, neither were any denials made. It appears that information on whether native Office apps are being developed for the two largest mobile platforms today, varies depending on who you talk to at Microsoft.
In any case, going cross-platform with Office will certainly establish Microsoft as a player with a universal presence on almost any device. Given the fact that Microsoft still needs to play catch-up with Google and Apple in the in the mobile player arena, this might well be the trump card it needs .
