Microsoft Office 365 support for Apple iOS and Google Android devices

Tech companies ripping off each other’s ideas

Global IT corporations are not renowned for being commercially sympathetic to one another. It’s understandable, especially when it concerns matters of patent infringement and ripping off another tech firm’s innovations that may have been hard won by significant investment in the R&D budget.

Apple and Samsung seem to have been at loggerheads for years in one case or another over the copying of smartphone and tablet features and capability. Huawei, Samsung, Cisco are just some of the many others that seem to be engaged in pitched battles over such matters.

Refreshing to see Microsoft friendly to iOS and Android

It’s natural for Microsoft to favour Windows 10 and Mobile operating system users. Historically, there are many examples of Microsoft being somewhat less than enthusiastic at making its products interoperate easily with the products of other companies.

However, it is not the only culprit. Almost every major, established tech firm at one time or another has sought to use proprietary technology as a vehicle to limit the ability of competitors to eat into its markets.

So, it’s quite refreshing that we see Microsoft continuing to deliver value to users of Apple iOS and Google Android devices.

Some recent smartphone functionality announced by Microsoft that helps iOS and Android users to get more value out of Office 365 include:

• Users of Outlook for Android and iOS are to get the ability to edit contacts

• This is one of the top feature requests that this app has never supported. However, a new update is to enable contact editing on an iPhone or Android phone.

• Microsoft’s new Planner companion mobile app for Office 365 is now available on both Android and iOS mobile devices

• Planner customers can use the companion app to view and update their plans on the go. Push notifications and the ability to create new plans for the mobile app are also coming.

Better value for Apple and Android users with Office 365 from Paralogic

Although tech companies need to protect their IP and revenue streams, they have also been guilty of short changing customers when it comes to interoperability of apps on competitor operating systems.

In the case of Office 365, Microsoft seems to be much more accepting that although it may not be able to sell you a Windows phone, it makes good sense to ensure you can enjoy a fully featured Office 365 experience on an iOS or Android device.

We have assisted numerous companies with Office 365 Migration. To find out more about how we can help you to get more out of your investment in business technology simply get in touch today.

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