Microsoft, on Thursday, rolled out updated version of its Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps for iPads and iPhones, making available core functions for free to users.
Until now, Office app users were required to subscribe to an Office 365 subscription in order to create, edit or format documents or store them in the cloud. But from now on users will be able to create and do more advanced editing of Office content without an Office 365 Home or Personal subscription, which starts at $6.99 a month.
However, certain premium features and advanced editing capabilities including the ability to accept or reject tracked changes in Word, will remain accessible for paid Office 365 subscribers only.
Microsoft will continue to charge for Office 365 on laptops or desktops and for business users.
“Starting today, people can create and edit Office content on iPhones, iPads, and soon, Android tablets using Office apps without an Office 365 subscription,” Microsoft noted in a blog post.
The new Office apps for iPad and iPhone are currently available in 29 languages and 136 countries. The apps will work on iPad or iPhone running iOS 7.0 or later.
The Redmond also announced a “preview” of new Office apps for Android tablets. Users will be able to apply for the preview by filling out an online form at the Google Play store. General availability for all users is expected early next year. The preview will work on 7-inch to 10.1-inch displays, and on Android devices running Android 4.4 KitKat.
“Anytime someone has an idea or an inspiration, we want to empower them to take action,” John Case, corporate vice president of Office, said in a statement.
“With over a billion Office customers worldwide, and over 40 million downloads on the iPad, it’s clear that Office applications are what people want to use to get things done.”
