Microsoft Office for iPad and Android on the horizon?

Microsoft’s CEO spoke to Wall Street analysts on September 19, 2013.

The meeting was webcast live. During the meeting, he mentioned “upside opportunities” concerning Microsoft expanding the compatibility of its software with non-Windows platforms. This may include the religiously windows-exclusive MS Office. Microsoft Office for iPad and other smart tablets is on the way.

The CEO, Steve Ballmer, continued saying that executives keep their eyes wide open for additional revenue opportunities such as “porting products like Office to other platforms” (PC World).

Allowing MS Office to be compatible with iPad and Android could be a double-edged sword for Microsoft. On one side, the additional exposure would definitely boost sales and awareness of Microsoft’s new Office 365 cloud-based system. One the other side, the lack of Windows exclusivity could have dire consequences with regards to sales of Windows 8 and the Surface devices.