PowerPoint for the iPad? Well that's no fun.
Lots of chatter in the tech news and blogosphere this week about the possible launch of an iPad version of Microsoft Office. First the news of the Office for iPad was broken by The Daily, denied, (kind of), by Microsoft, examined in more detail by ZDNet, then reconfirmed on Twitter by a staff member at The Daily. And I am sure there were lots of other takes on the potential release of Office for the iPad, most of which making it seem like it is not a question of if Microsoft will release the iPad version of Office, but rather when the apps will be released.
So based on the evidence, and the sort of non-denial denial from Microsoft, let's assume that indeed in the 'coming weeks' there will be a release of MS Office for the iPad. Most of the accounts about this possible new Office version herald this development as a positive one, both for Microsoft, essentially absent to this point in the rapid rise of the tablet ecosystem, and also for the millions of iPad users that now can become 'more productive' now that the ubiquitous Office suite will have a native iPad version.
But for me, I have to admit I don't feel all that excited about having Excel, Word, or PowerPoint on the iPad. Even assuming that the iPad versions of these workplace stalwarts manage to leverage the best capabilities and usability features that the iPad offers, you are still crunching spreadsheets, writing (boring) documents, and futzing around with another PowerPoint. You know, working. And work, sadly, is often not much fun. And perhaps through no fault of their own, Excel and PowerPoint take a lot of reflected shrapnel for that if you get my meaning.
People love their iPads because they are fun, (assuming you can mentally set aside how they are actually manufactured, but that is another story), they provide an amazing user experience, and mostly what you do with them either isn't work, or doesn't feel like work. It just seems cool, hip, easy. Not words we often associate with work. Especially when work takes the form of spreadsheets and slide decks.
So when MS Office for the iPad comes out will I rush to load it up? Probably not. But I imagine I will eventually succumb, as the allure and utility of being able to tweak that presentation file on the iPad when sitting in the airport will prove too tempting and seem too necessary. It's work right? Need to get 'er done whenever and wherever.
I just hope I won't have to drop Angry Birds to make room for Excel. Because that would really stink.
Reader Comments (3)
Steve, you have to admit, it is ironic that so many scoffed at the iPad as a toy and not productive and not a real computer. I know many people use them as their only device for work, replacing a laptop. So now apps are being delivered that legitimize the iPad as a productive device and we criticize. Oye vey
"assuming you can mentally set aside how they are actually manufactured, but that is another story" While I don't care for the working conditions over there anymore than anyone else, we do this every day, the same way we "set it aside" when we watch our TV, listen to our radio, etc that is manufactured there.
I guess my point is more, 'So what if it is a toy?'. Most people seem really happy when using iPads. Most people are not as happy when working on spreadsheets. And I'd also suggest that the iPad is already a productive device, just not a PC where for many, hours upon hours are spent in MS Office.
The manufacturing and supply chain issues really can't be set aside as you suggest. I am encouraged that recent news and focus on these issues will bring about better conditions for the people that are involved in all phases of the process. I think I will not be rushing out to buy an iPad3 or iPhone5 no matter how fantastic they seem.
Thanks very much for your comments.
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