The Daily reports that Microsoft is working to port its popular MS Office suite over to the iPad. If this is true, Apple's iWork suite for iPad will have a new, not to mention tough, competitor.
The iPad was a phenomenal tablet, it really started a revolution in the post-PC industry. Earlier this year Apple released the iPad 2 and proved that it possesses the ability to make its magical products ever so magnanimous. Millions of people around the world use their iPads for writing documents, creating presentations and spreadsheets. To specifically cater to that demand, Apple ported its famous iWork suite to the iPad. The Pages, Numbers and Keynote application accomplish all of those tasks beautifully.
On the Mac, Microsoft Office is a direct competitor of iWork. Soon enough, if The Daily's report is anything to go by, MS Office will soon be competing with iWork on the iPad. Microsoft Word for iPad, Microsoft Powerpoint for iPad and Microsoft Excel for iPad will make sure that Pages, Keynote and Numbers no longer enjoy a monopoly of sorts. Sure, there are a number of third party apps that offer similar functions, but keep in mind that the MS Office suite is the second biggest rain-maker for Microsoft after Windows. So obviously, all of these apps are going to be exquisitely developed for the iPad.
At this point in time, The Daily has not been able to confirm when Microsoft Office for iPad release will take place. No definitive word available on the pricing as well, however sources indicate that its possible for each one of the apps to be priced at approximately $9.99 each. The MS Office apps for iPad will also be sold together as one suite. Promotional pricing is possible for the initial launch week.
Microsoft shouldn't face any hurdles in getting the MS Office suite for iPad approved for inclusion on the App Store, considering the fact that there are already a number of Microsoft apps listed. We know Apple won't deliberately reject MS Office for iPad on the premise that it might prove to be a tough competitor for its iWork suite. Once again, if this whole speculation is correct, we just might see a completed MS Office suite for iPad in the coming months.