Microsoft Office Productivity Suite Apps such as Word, Powerpoint, and Excel are now downloadable for free, Microsoft announced on Wednesday, June 24.
After five weeks of testing, with the apps on preview mode, the Microsoft Office Productivity Suite bundle, which includes Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, are now officially ready for use. They were tested in 83 different countries and 1900 different android mobile device models.
Microsoft executive vice president Kirk Koenigsbauer wrote on the official Microsoft blog, "During the preview, we heard from thousands of these users, and over the last few weeks we were able to incorporate a lot of their feedback into the apps we're launching today. For example, we made it easier to connect to other popular third-party storage offerings like Google Drive and Box, as well as many usability adjustments to make it easier to navigate commands within the apps."
He later elaborated on how having the apps makes the work and workplace more accessible to the user. By having Word on the smartphone, one can type and edit documents in and out of the office setting. Storage and access are also taken cared of, with Microsoft tying up with Google Drive and Dropbox.
With Powerpoint in android smartphones, presentations are made easier. They can be done even while traveling to or from work, and can be presented from the phone itself. Microsoft has also partnered with mobile phone companies such as Samsung and LG, so that the apps can be loaded and pre-installed in their devices.
While the news caused a lot of excitement, the downloadable apps are not accessible or compatible to every android model, especially the older ones. The apps are available on Google Play.
Click the video below to watch a preview.
