Android seems to be the stepchild when it comes to app releases. Microsoft recently launched the Office Mobile app for iPhone, which will let the owners of the Apple smartphone create and edit documents even when they're on the move.
But what about Android users? Well, it seems that the Google OS has to wait a tad longer before it can benefit from the much-wanted app.
According to Android Authority, "though there's no official source and even though Microsoft's package released for iOS is a very basic one, we have hopes of seeing an Android-compatible version in the upcoming future. The one thing that keeps our hopes alive is Microsoft's need to make money."
So if the lure of generating additional revenue is the key, no doubt that Android will benefit from the Office Mobile app sooner rather than later.
Currently, developers profit more from iOS when compared to Android when developing apps and, therefore, the former would have gotten the edge and benefited from Office Mobile before the Google mobile OS. However, let's not forget that Android is a major player in the market and Microsoft could well have an Office Mobile version for the platform in the works.
In May 2012, reports were rife that MS Office would come to both Android and iOS in Nov. 2012 as part of Microsoft's plan to bring Office to a wider audience. A month later, sources claimed that the Android version for Office would release on Nov. 10. Then in Oct. 2012, speculations pointed to a March 2013 release for the tablet-friendly version of Office for Android.
"Microsoft product manager Petr Bobek has confirmed that the software maker is planning to release native iOS and Android versions of Office 2013 next year. Speaking at a press event in the Czech Republic earlier today, Bobek told Czech site IHNED that native apps will be made available from March 2013," reported The Verge at the time.
What's more, Microsoft is reportedly considering cross-platform support and is looking to bring Web Apps suite to Android tablets soon. Therefore, an Office Mobile app for Android is definitely not the stuff rumors are made of.
The Office Mobile app for iPhone is similar to the one for Windows Phone devices and Microsoft touts that it "enables great Office content viewing and on-the-go content editing capabilities."
The app also packs in the built-in sharing option, which lets users save documents directly to SkyDrive or SkyDrive Pro. Moreover, users also have the option to send a document as an email attachment.
Microsoft is yet to launch the iPad version of the app, so for now, Android users have some company.
