Free Microsoft Office soars to summit of App Store charts


iOS users have reacted to Microsoft’s decision to make its Office apps completely free to use by sending Word straight to the top of the App Store charts.


The ascent comes just 24 hours after the software giant announced Word, Excel and PowerPoint would be unlocked for all, without the need for an Office 365 subscription.


Word now sits at the very top of the Free apps charts, while Excel is sitting pretty at number four.


{pullquote]The Office apps are sandwiched between Facebook and Facebook Messenger, while they sit above popular apps like Instagram and YouTube{/pullquote}.


The free apps give users access to the full suite of features, allowing users to create, edit, save and share documents, while also accessing content from Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage portal.


The decision to drop the subscription requirement represents the new era at Microsoft where the firm is more willing to embrace users on other platforms.


Previously the company had been unwilling to make Office available on iOS, so as not to cannibalise the Windows platforms.


However, under Satya Nadella’s leadership the company has released the Microsoft Band, which is compatible with iOS and Android.


Just this week integrated Dropbox within the Microsoft Office apps despite boasting its competing cloud storage platform OneDrive.


The free Office apps will soon become available on Android tablets too



Read more:
Office for iPad review


Via:
Slashgear