The internets were all a-gush today with a number of different rumors started by online publication, The Daily, who reported that Microsoft was not only actively developing Microsoft Office for iPad, but that its release was immanent. This would have been huge, had it been true. I for one, would have been ALL over it.
The Daily, it seems had someone “close to the project” come into their office and demo the software for them…or at least that’s what they are claiming at this time. The Daily claims upside down, backwards and sideways that the report is credible and that the image that they posted (seen below – Credit: The Daily) isn’t doctored, but is a digital image they snapped of the software’s main program screen on the iPad that it was demoed on.
Credit: The Daily
Last year, Microsoft released OneNote for iPad, and that of course sparked all sorts of rumors and speculation that MS would release the entire Office 2010 suite for iPad. Well, before you start drooling all over the tablet you’ve come to know and love, grab a napkin and sit back. Microsoft adamantly denies the entire story.
According to the New York Times, Microsoft has issued the following statement:
“The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.” She added that an image with The Daily’s article depicting an Office product for iPad was not from Microsoft. “The screenshot is not Microsoft’s software,” she said.
Its too bad. OneNote for iPad, currently version 1.3, has mixed user ratings; but it syncs desktop and device based notes, and (the version I have) supports both handwritten as well as typed notes. A full Office suite on the iPad could be huge for Microsoft, if they ever do decide to pursue it.
