So rumor has it (again, with the rumors, yes) that Microsoft is pouring a big part of its brain power into producing a version of its Office package and plans to deliver it to Apple’s smash hit, king of all kings, the mighty iPad. Excited, yet?

Currently the only tablets that have been known to sport good old trusty Microsoft Office are Windows tablets and until the Windows 8 is out and flying, we won’t really know many details, apart from – yes you guessed it right – rumors. The app will reportedly cost merely $10, but it’s no wonder since Office-like apps in the App Store cost about the same.

But think about what this could mean? One of the points that has been brought up my specialists is the idea that once Microsoft starts building apps for Apple, it has admitted the defeat in the tablet market. But some seem to disagree, saying that there’s actually no tablet market. Maybe just the iPad market. Maybe Apple has smelled competition with the release of Amazon Kindle Fire but that’s kind of it. The number of iPad entering the enterprises today is immense. Just a year ago, you could barely spot an iPad here and there, but now you just need to turn around and they are everywhere. So, it figures that having Office on the iPad would be an instant hit for those who use Office at home or at work.

The reasons why Microsoft should go ahead with the idea are pretty visible. Even though Microsoft is working tirelessly in preparing Windows 8 for tablets and getting it ready for market release, it makes sense that Microsoft could also focus its efforts on the iPad, as Apple’s popular release will certainly dominate the market in the future as well.

Source: PCWorld.com

Originally Posted by iDan

The app will reportedly cost merely $10, but it’s no wonder since Office-like apps in the App Store cost about the same.

I guess it all depends what you mean by "the app".

If you look at the Apple app it's actually $30; it's $10 for each of the three (3) parts that make up the equivalent of "MS Office".

Will MS end up by releasing "Office", or will they release several separate portions, Word, Excell, PowerPoint, etc?

After all if you look at Microsoft's definition of "Office" it's always a bundle of three, four, or five pieces.

I think it's worth driving a stake in the sand on what we should expect from MS for an iPad Office app.

Personally speaking, it cannot be a scaled up version of the "Pocket" Windows Mobile apps (especially Excel). Obviously, it also has to be significantly superior to any of the available apps (again, especially Excel). There is some truly remarkable software running on the iPad and there's no reason we shouldn't expect a "real" Office experience.

Here's hoping!

Any roumors about Open Office for iPad2?
vitalyki

Originally Posted by vitalyki

Any roumors about Open Office for iPad2?
vitalyki

Ain't happenin' according to the Open Office folks.

Originally Posted by jsh1120

Ain't happenin' according to the Open Office folks.

Too bad!!!

Sent from my Tricked Out, Sparkly Pink Black Verizon 32GB iPhone 4 using iPF

I am waiting for a stable Office. I just wish Apple would get it's office apps working properly.

Office2 HD and QuickOffice.

Very similar, including modules for documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Each has some features the other lacks.

I have both and use them in conjunction with my PC via mt Dropbox account.

Ms office for ipad would make the ipad even better and more friendly to work on. But i think it will cost more than 10$ i think 20$ is a pretty good price for it

i will pay 50 bucks for it, and install once its released, bring it on, microsoft