Microsoft’s Taking Over iOS and Apple Can’t Do Anything About It

[VAkena]

Softpedia: http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsoft-s-taking-over-ios-and-apple-can-t-do-anything-about-it-499362.shtml

 

Opinion: It's actually kinda sad that some of those apps on the rival platforms aren't actually on their own Windows Phone 8.1 OS. Sometimes I wonder if they even care about Windows Phone, they're doing great things for the other platforms but lacking in their own.

 

Microsoft is still working hard to become a more important player in the mobile business, but while the company keeps struggling to get Windows 10 Mobile right and release more competitive devices, its apps are enjoying a huge success on rival platforms.

 

At this point, most of the apps developed by the Redmond-based software giant are already available on iOS (and many are missing from its very own Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile), and what’s more important is that they have quickly become some of the most downloaded in the entire store.

 

The Microsoft Office success

Another clear sign that Microsoft feels like home on iOS is the success that the Word app, part of the Office suite, is having among iPhone users.

At this point, Microsoft Word has nearly 29,500 ratings in the store, again with a maximum of five out of five stars, even though this app comes with a big catch: it requires an Office 365 subscription for editing capabilities, so the freeware version is just a document viewer.

 

Still ignoring Windows 10 Mobile?

Seeing Microsoft enjoying such a huge success in the Apple App Store is certainly a good thing, but when looking at its own platform, there’s definitely a gap that the company should fill in very soon.

Most of the apps that the company launched in the last few months for iPhone and iPad users are not yet available on Windows Phone or Windows 10 Mobile and this is one of the reasons some people decided to jump ship. Others decided to stick with Windows 10 Mobile for a little bit longer, hoping that Microsoft could at some point show a little bit more interest in its own platform.

[ShadowCaptain]

WOW CLICKBAIT TITLE or what... 

 

taking over iOS?.. or just .. a couple of successful apps on the app store... if anything Apple are only benefiting from this, by taking a cut from microsoft and attracting people to iOS who rely on MS software

[VAkena]

WOW CLICKBAIT TITLE or what... 

 

taking over iOS?.. or just .. a couple of successful apps on the app store... if anything Apple are only benefiting from this, by taking a cut from microsoft and attracting people to iOS who rely on MS software

 

For the news section I just take the title of the article and use it for the post, I've always done it like that.

[ShadowCaptain]

For the news section I just take the title of the article and use it for the post, I've always done it like that.

 

Oh that wasnt specifically aimed at you, it was also aimed at the article in question for using that title

[SubTract]

I feel like it is quite normal for a software company to have good apps on all platforms.

 

Next up OFFICE VR!

[AlTech]

I feel like it is quite normal for a software company to have good apps on all platforms.

 

Next up OFFICE VR!

Nope. Office on the Xbox One is coming relatively soon (if they told the truth at Build 2015).

[AlTech]

Softpedia: http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsoft-s-taking-over-ios-and-apple-can-t-do-anything-about-it-499362.shtml

 

Opinion: It's actually kinda sad that some of those apps on the rival platforms aren't actually on their own Windows Phone 8.1 OS. Sometimes I wonder if they even care about Windows Phone, they're doing great things for the other platforms but lacking in their own.

This reminds me of their new Microsoft Garage app which is only on Android.

 

We need exclusives for platforms otherwise nobody will buy Windows or Windows PHone

[VAkena]

This reminds me of their new Microsoft Garage app which is only on Android.

 

We need exclusives for platforms otherwise nobody will buy Windows or Windows PHone

 

Exactly my point. Like, right now when you download Office Mobile on any platform you can't edit unless you have an Office 365 Subscription; they should of made editing free on Windows to help entice new users. But no, even the dedicated Windows Phone/Mobile users have to pay.. what a joke.

[AlTech]

Exactly my point. Like, right now when you download Office Mobile on any platform you can't edit unless you have an Office 365 Subscription; they should of made editing free on Windows to help entice new users. But no, even the dedicated Windows Phone/Mobile users have to pay.. what a joke.

With Windows 10 (both mobile and Desktop) they give away a free "limited" version of Office. It has way less features but it's free.

 

All other platforms have to have Office 365 i think.

[VAkena]

With Windows 10 (both mobile and Desktop) they give away a free "limited" version of Office. It has way less features but it's free.

 

All other platforms have to have Office 365 i think.

 

I was literally testing out the Slow Build on my phone yesterday and when I tried to edit in Office, I couldn't without an Office 365 Subscription.

[RedRound2]

You should probably edit the title and make it much more relevant as title is pretty misleading

 

Nothing surprising given that Microsoft Office has reached a certain level that it'll be too hard for anyone to replace it. So the same software available in different platforms will naturally be popular and Apple on the other hand is supporting it by featuring Office apps for productivity in the App store

[AlTech]

I was literally testing out the Slow Build on my phone yesterday and when I tried to edit in Office, I couldn't without an Office 365 Subscription.

Really? IDK I'm on the fast ring builds. I have Office 365.

[Trixanity]

Are Apple actually getting a cut?

The apps are free to download and the Office 365 subscription is paid directly to Microsoft, circumventing any App Store payment system (I assume - don't own an iDevice).

So I'd think any cut would either come from some ad revenue (it's not ad supported I'd think) or they'd have to negotiate with Microsoft to get money but can they actually do that?

In the end, it's a win-win situation for Microsoft.

[TetraSky]

Exactly my point. Like, right now when you download Office Mobile on any platform you can't edit unless you have an Office 365 Subscription; they should of made editing free on Windows to help entice new users. But no, even the dedicated Windows Phone/Mobile users have to pay.. what a joke.

It seems to be free on windows phone 8.1, which is what I have. It doesn't ask me to pay for anything, I'm able to create and edit documents in Word on my Lumia 635 phone.

Dunno about Windows 10 mobile, it's probably never going to be available for my phone, so...

[VAkena]

It seems to be free on windows phone 8.1, which is what I have. It doesn't ask me to pay for anything, I'm able to create and edit documents in Word on my Lumia 635 phone.

Dunno about Windows 10 mobile, it's probably never going to be available for my phone, so...

Most phones running Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Denim should be able to get the update (except some HTC Lumias). Office on Windows Phone 8.1 is free to use (making edits, creating new docs etc) but in Windows 10 Mobile you MUST have an Office 365 Subscription or Office just becomes a glorified document viewer.

[TroubleKlef]

Both Microsoft and Google understand that you have to respect the market leader in the mobile space. Kudos to them for not being stubborn. 

[Sauron]

WOW CLICKBAIT TITLE or what... 

 

taking over iOS?.. or just .. a couple of successful apps on the app store... if anything Apple are only benefiting from this, by taking a cut from microsoft and attracting people to iOS who rely on MS software

 

yeah, from the title it seemed like they were taking possession of the os

[ShadowCaptain]

yeah, from the title it seemed like they were taking possession of the os

 

yeah iOS is not the App Store if the title of the article was "Microsoft are taking over the app store" it wouldn't be so bad

[Doobeedoo]

C'mon MS just make a great Surface Phone and focus on polishing OS more for phone.

And yes also apps and everything involved about it. 

[suicidalfranco]

many clickbait

much wow

[LAwLz]

We need exclusives for platforms otherwise nobody will buy Windows or Windows PHone

Nobody but fanboys wants exclusives. It is best for us consumers to have as few exclusives as possible. If Microsoft wants WP yo be successful then they should make their OS better than the competitors, not by using unfair advantages to force people over.

[GoodBytes]

And today I taught I would not have to do this.

Your Post does not meet the spirit of the posting guideline which you can read here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/11724-read-before-posting-in-this-section/

-> You should explain the news in your own words.

-> Don't use sensationalist title, and don't copy and paste article content.

-> Quotes should be used for support, and completeness, not to copy the article and paste it in.

Until this is fixed, I moved the thread to General Discussion. If you want back to Tech News, fix it, and PM me, so that I know and can move it back. If you need any assistance in doing good news post, or any help, like always, you can always PM me, and I would be glad to help.

[TetraSky]

Most phones running Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Denim should be able to get the update (except some HTC Lumias). Office on Windows Phone 8.1 is free to use (making edits, creating new docs etc) but in Windows 10 Mobile you MUST have an Office 365 Subscription or Office just becomes a glorified document viewer.

I guess I won't be updating to Windows 10 mobile then. (If microsoft ever push the update to my device, which they haven't yet even though they claimed late december early january. I do have the Denim firmware)

[VAkena]

I guess I won't be updating to Windows 10 mobile then. (If microsoft ever push the update to my device, which they haven't yet even though they claimed late december early january. I do have the Denim firmware)

 

I'm making the switch to Android with my next phone purchase (1-2 months). I might transfer my files from OneDrive to Google Drive so I can still edit my documents... rather than having to pay for a basic feature

[Guest]

Jesus. Fucking... Christ....

 

Microsoft and Apple are partners, not enemies.

 

Steve Jobs & Bill Gates were very good friends and were often helping each others business.

 

Stop with this Microsoft vs Apple Bullshit.