Microsoft launches Office for Android tablets

Microsoft has launched its suite of Office apps for Android tablets, and is introducing Outlook to both Android and iOS.

The company has launched versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint customised for the Android platform.

Document creation, printing and core editing functions will be offered free of charge. Consumers with an eligible Office 365 subscription will have access to full editing features, as well as the ability to store and share documents via cloud storage including OneDrive and Dropbox.

Commercial subscriptions will also include enterprise-grade security functionality, access to commercial cloud storage and IT management tools such as mobile device management (MDM) for Office 365.

Microsoft has also launched its Outlook email client for iOS and provided a preview of Outlook for Android.

The client will be free for personal use, and some Office 365 subscriptions will come bundled with commercial use rights for businesses.

USA Today notes that Outlook for iOS and Android is a rebranded version of the Acompli email app.

Microsoft acquired the Acompli start-up in December for an undisclosed sum. Early impressions of the app have been positive, with commentators praising its ease of use and flexibility.

Just a few short years ago, the concept of Microsoft giving away functions of its core software to rival platforms would have been difficult to expect. But the company has been transitioning to an as-a-service model for its software, including its flagship Windows OS.

Image courtesy Microsoft