Edit: My post / reply was meant @Li Tan, but it ended up as a regular comment - from what I can see?! Using Firefox 32-bit (29.0.1) on Windows 7 x64 Service Pack 1
(Oic., nvm., it's labeled as a reply by the Re: in the title / 'subject' line. :))
Banickoss, User Rank: Strategist 4/29/2014 | 5:33:48 PM
The freeware MS Office for iPad now includes printing
It took 33 days for Microsoft Marketing to listen to 12 million users, all with the same complaint, but they finally did add printing to the freeware MS Office apps on the iPad today ...
In my opinion the strategy of MS is to further put in a plug of MS Office. Its scope is not limited to just Windows OS but BYOD devices such as iPad. For MS Office definitely it's a good thing. It should not harm Windows, either because the MS Office on iPad serves mobile office purpose. We still need normal laptop PC with Windows and full MS Office on it.
In my opinion the strategy of MS is to further put in a plug of MS Office. Its scope is not limited to just Windows OS but BYOD devices such as iPad. For MS Office definitely it's a good thing. It should not harm Windows, either because the MS Office on iPad serves mobile office purpose. We still need normal laptop PC with Windows and full MS Office on it.
One of the reasons I don't particularly care about MS Office for iOS is because you need iOS 7 -- replete with the bugginess and changes lacking in older versions.
I'm one of those dinosaurs who only upgrades when I have to.
I suspect the primary use for Office for iPad is less about original document creation and more about reviewing and editing work from Windows-using colleagues and collaborators.
I'm not convinced compatibility = minimizing relevance of the OS. Microsoft software still works most seamlessly in its natural environment.
Besides, I am convinced that the consumer market ultimately drives the enterprise market (what the execs buy for themselves and their families at home ultimately lead those same execs to buy those same devices for the business) -- and gaming still lies in the realm of Windows.
That's a valid point, but I am not sure it's quite the minimization that you think. The casual user may be able to use Word outside of Windows, but for now the professional wordsmiths, number crunchers and presenters will have to have the main products.
"Regardless of whatever new products arrive, Microsoft clearly no longer considers Windows sacrosanct."
This is an important observation. Office on iPad means more symbolically for Microsoft than in practice. Sure, Office on iPad options are great for fine-tuning and will make the Office experience more fluid and democratic via cloud services like Microsoft OneNote and/or Dropbox. That's a good thing.
But on a deeper level, Microsoft is absolutely minimizing the relevance of the Windows OS, the consequences of which we'll see play out in the next few years. But it had to be done, and big kudos to Nadella for bursting Ballmer's reality distortion field bubble.
Thomas Claburn, User Rank: Author 3/31/2014 | 5:01:45 PM
Re: A Seismic Shift for Microsoft
I've gotten by without Office on the iPad since the iPad was released. Some people may find the software comforting, but I'm glad to no longer be dependent on it.
2018 State of the CloudCloud adoption is growing, but how are organizations taking advantage of it? Interop ITX and InformationWeek surveyed technology decision-makers to find out, read this report to discover what they had to say!
Infographic: The State of DevOps in 2017Is DevOps helping organizations reduce costs and time-to-market for software releases? What's getting in the way of DevOps adoption? Find out in this InformationWeek and Interop ITX infographic on the state of DevOps in 2017.
Cybersecurity Strategies for the Digital EraAt its core, digital business relies on strong security practices. In addition, leveraging security intelligence and integrating security with operations and developer teams can help organizations push the boundaries of innovation.
Attend this video symposium with Sean Wisdom, Global Director of Mobility Solutions, and learn about how you can harness powerful new products to mobilize your business potential.
To save this item to your list of favorite InformationWeek content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
User Rank: Apprentice
6/2/2014 | 8:55:29 PM
"BYOD" - gah, you gotta be kidding me; here, please have a look at the definition (next time) before you type it:
BYOD: Bring your own device
P.S. Risks / security @
Edit: My post / reply was meant @Li Tan, but it ended up as a regular comment - from what I can see?! Using Firefox 32-bit (29.0.1) on Windows 7 x64 Service Pack 1
(Oic., nvm., it's labeled as a reply by the Re: in the title / 'subject' line. :))