Satya Nadella Explains Why Office For iPad Took So Long

We guess it’s safe to say that the wait is finally over regarding Office for iPad. After all it was as far back as 2011 that we started hearing rumors that a version of Office for the iPad was in the works, meaning that it took Microsoft about 3 years before it was trotted out to the public.

So why did it take Microsoft so long? According to Microsoft’s newly-minted CEO, Satya Nadella, “The thing we wanted to get most right was the combination of what I would call the combination of the app, the enterprise architecture, the developer APIs, and then marry it with the device and what you expect from the device. … It’s not just a trivial thing, let’s port Word for Windows to a particular device.”

There have also been rumors, prior to the release, that Microsoft was delaying the release of the app because they wanted to get a touch-friendly version out for Windows 8 users first. When asked by Re/Code on what he had to say to Windows 8 loyalists, he reassured them that Microsoft will be maintaining their commitment to bringing such apps to the Windows platform. “We are committed to making sure these touch-first applications come to Windows 8.”

Just in case you missed out on our coverage from before, Office for iPad was announced not too long. The app itself is free for download and will contain access to apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. There is a downside and that is unless you have an Office 365 subscription, you’re pretty much only able to view documents and are not able to edit them.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Tablets
Tags: Apps, iPad, Microsoft, office