Report: Microsoft Finally Developing Office Suite for iPad

Here’s some news that slipped by us: Microsoft apparently is hard at work building iOS versions of the Office suite. It’s a smart move for Microsoft, especially as its works to proliferate deeper in the mobile and cloud spaces. But you’ll never guess where the news broke …

According to The Daily, the iPad-exclusive magazine that has received a somewhat-tepid response from users and media alike, Microsoft has accepted the iPad’s market dominance and wants to cash in on it. The Daily also reported Microsoft is continuing to build a new version of Office for Mac OS X Lion and may even distribute it through the Mac App Store, of all places.

The Daily postulated that Office 365 would be integrated into these mobile versions, but I’d be happy just to have some real competition to Apple’s iWork suite in the iOS App Store. It’s important to note Office won’t be Microsoft’s first foray into the iOS App Store; Microsoft has a small but somewhat useful group of apps including Windows Messenger and Bing for iPad.

Almost two years ago I felt Microsoft should waste no time building Office for iPad, especially amid the rumors that it was doing so. Now that the iPad and the tablet market have matured, it’s clear Microsoft wants to devote time and resources to building quality productivity software.

Did you detect the irony? Microsoft is building Office for the iPad, which likely will rake in tons of money for Microsoft and then subsequently, Apple, as businesspeople will almost definitely be more amenable to buying an iPad when it supports more familiar productivity applications. If those people are buying iPads, they may not be as inclined to pickup a Windows 8 tablet. Hmmm. We’ll have to wait and see.

If and when it is released, expect a full review, by yours truly.