Month: September 2014

While Office for iPad was finally released earlier this year, the free version of the official suite has limited functionality, mainly not letting you edit documents.

If you want to create Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents for free using only your iPad, try these alternatives instead.

CloudOn: for aficionados of online backup

CloudOn is a great office suite for iPad. Its unique feature lies in the fact that before creating text files, spreadsheets, or presentations, you must connect your CloudOn account – created during free registration of the service – with an online storage service. Luckily, CloudOn supports the most popular cloud servics, including Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

Once the app’s been properly configured, you can create, edit, and save documents directly from your iPad. The interface, taking huge inspiration from Office 2013, is not designed specifically for touch, but it should still be able to satisfy your needs.

Pros:

– Can connect multiple accounts from cloud storage services

– Very responsive

Cons:

– Interface could be improved

– Can’t save files locally

Quickoffice: for fans of Google

As a product of Google, how does Quickoffice differ from Google Drive? The Quickoffice Suite has been designed primarily for Microsoft Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), and Excel (XLS) documents.

Not surprisingly, you have to connect to a Google account to use it. With Quickoffice, you can juggle the backup in the cloud via Google Drive and on your iPad.

Documents created with Quickoffice are automatically compatible with Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. The interface is simple and really pretty, and the app is at the same level as CloudOn when it comes to quality and responsiveness.

Pros:

– Ease of use

– Backup files locally or in the cloud

Cons:

– Must connect with a Google account

OliveOfficeHD: for the impatient

Despite a rather disconcerting opening screen, OliveOfficeHD is a free office suite that lets you create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint document in minutes. Simply click the Office icon to get to work.

From this second screen, almost as desolate as the opening one, you’ll be able to create text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The comparative advantage? Proposed layouts for each type of content, which could save you valuable time. Beware though: OliveOfficeHD offers no online synchronization, and you can’t use it to convert PDF files.

Pros:

– Extremely Practical

– No registration required

Cons:

– Interface unclear

– No cloud synchronization

Productivity on your iPad

The release of Office for iPad marks the beginning of a new era for many professionals using an iPad, and now, you have some free alternatives with a bit more functionality that can help you make the most of your Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents on iPad.

Related articles:

Microsoft Office for iPad: the highs and lows

Office Tip: type faster by replacing one word with another

What is Office 365 and why should you use it?

Original article published in French on Softonic FR.

Follow me on Twitter: @bbrassart

Microsoft is holding a special event about the future of Windows today. What can we expect to see?

Windows 9, Windows Threshold, TH or just Windows?

Starting at the top, different sources have suggested all of the above as the name of the next Windows. Threshold/TH seem to be Microsoft’s internal code names for the project, and it seems unlikely that the company would use that for the public release. More likely is Windows 9 or Windows. The latter is a possibility as one of the aims of the Threshold project is unification of the Windows/Microsoft eco-system on PC and mobile. It may be that Windows will just be called Windows whatever the device, and will be updated regularly via Microsoft’s new monthly updates.

New features:

The big news about ‘Windows 9’ for most users will likely be the return of the Start Menu in the traditional desktop. It’s been seen in early builds, and it looks developed enough to be permanent. It’s return is also likely considering that Microsoft is now trying to listen to consumer demands more closely, and this is one of the more common requests. The new start menu will likely change color depending on the Windows theme you choose.

Windows Phone’s voice assistant Cortana could also be arriving on a desktop near you, as she has also been found in early versions of the operating system. There will be a notification center, and Windows will probably be getting a ‘multiple desktop’ feature like OS X for the first time.

Price:

What you’ll have to pay for ‘Windows 9’ is hotly contested. Some have suggested that Windows 8 users will get the update free, mostly because convincing users to upgrade to 8 from Windows 7 has been a struggle. However, with this logic, the company might offer Windows 9 free for other Windows versions too. Alternatively, it might simply be cheaper, a system which worked well for Apple with OS X for some years.

When will I get it?

It’s unlikely to be released before 2015, but there will be a ‘technical preview’ released before then, which you’ll be able to test. However, we’d never recommend doing that on your primary device, as it will likely be missing features and be buggier than the official release. It looks like the preview will be available in October.

The caveat for all of this is that Microsoft has said that the event will focus on Windows and Enterprise, so there could be little of interest for the general user. However, because we know that the next Windows is in development, many people are expecting some kind of announcement. Stay tuned!

Related Stories

Rumor: Windows 9 will be free for Windows 8 users

Windows 9 Technical Preview may not arrive until October

The Start Menu in Windows 9 will change color

Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @jonathanriggall