Apple’s iPad already has a touch-friendly version of Microsoft Office, now it’s the turn of Android tablets. Sources familiar to the project reveal that a new touch-optimized version of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is arriving to Android tablets before the year ends.
The next step for the company is to get these apps just right, and to do that, Microsoft is creating a beta testing program, where software enthusiasts can subscribe to download and test the pre-release version of Office for Android.
This new version is expected to follow the same touch-friendly design found in the version of Office for iPad. No surprise here either, the suite of applications will release before the next version of Office (Gemini), which is scheduled to arrive some time in 2015. In part is because the company new cloud first, mobile first model, and at this moment iPads and Android tablets are dominating the market, as such these platforms are the focus.
For those interested on testing the new version of Office for Android, visit this Microsoft page. Just keep in mind the pre-release program still under development, so you may have to check back until, you can actually are able to sign up.
Update: The sign up site to join the Office for Android pre-release program is now live.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].