In an attempt to make the Microsoft Office 365 subscription service seem more appealing, Microsoft Corp. announced it will be making a lightweight version of Microsoft Office available as an app purchase for iPhones.
The app will not have all of the same features as the program for computers and Windows tablets. It will be a stripped down version that gives people quick access to their recent Word, Excel and Powerpoint projects and lets them make minor edits.
Microsoft Office has been pushing subscriptions for some time. The program was originally purchased for a one-time fee. Now with the 365 subscription, Microsoft promises benefits to the subscription such as the ability to run the package on up to five computers and get updates for free on a regular basis. With Office now available on mobile devices, 365 subscribers can now have up to five mobile devices running the program as well as five computers or tablets.
At the moment, iPhones are the only mobile device that offers the service, with the exception of Windows-specific tablets that run the lighter Windows RT The company has made no official statement as to its plans for bringing the application to iPad and Android devices.
Although documents will be reformatted to fir the iPhone's screen, users will still be able to look at charts, animation, comments and other key properties.
The iPhone app will sync all documents with Microsoft's SkyDrive online storage service. The company said users will be able to pick up a document on their mobile device right where they left off on a computer.
AP reports Chris Schneider, a marketing manager with Microsoft's Office team, explained why they decided on a stripped down version of the software for those who pay $100 a month for the 365 service.
"We designed the Office Mobile for iPhone to meet the scenarios that make the most sense," Schneider said.
The app will be available for iPhone users on Friday. However, all of its features will require a Windows 365 subscription before they can be used.
