MBU also considering iOS version of Office

Whether its the loss of their own control of the distribution -- or Apple's 30 percent revenue cut -- Microsoft was not one of the big-name vendors to appear when the Mac App Store launched earlier this month, giving Apple another opportunity to promote its own iWork suite, reports All Things Digital. Blogger Ina Fried talked with an MS spokesperson about the notable absence, and the company's plans for expanding Office's outlets and presence on other platforms, including potentially on iOS devices.

Microsoft has no lack of alternative sales channels for the Mac version of Office -- from their own website to Apple retail stores, along with independent dealers and big-box chains who carry Mac products. In particular, the company just launched a downloadable 30-day demo of its latest version, Office 2011 for Mac. Fried was able to get MS to admit they hadn't ruled out the option of putting Office on the Mac App Store, "we just have to see how that relates to our business," said the company's Amanda Lefebvre.

Also being considered is some form of Office for the iPhone or other iOS devices. MS released a free version of OneNote for the iPhone, but hasn't formally committed to going beyond that in terms of productivity apps. Still, the company has said through interviews, including directly from MS senior director Jason Bunge, that the company plans to expand the presence of Office onto other platforms. [via All Things Digital]

by MacNN Staff