Microsoft Office released for Android phones

Microsoft announced a while ago that it would be releasing Microsoft Office applications on iOS and Android. Today marks the last step of this process, as now Android smartphones can download and create documents from these apps. Apple's devices and Android tablets received these productivity apps earlier in the year. Early users are finding that while the user interface is not quite as refined as with the larger tablets, the functionality is mostly the same.

Documents can be created and edited on-the-go, and even if there are a few caveats, the ability to make changes from a mobile device is quite convenient. Perhaps the biggest issue with Microsoft Office releasing for Android phones is the hardware and operating system limitations many are going to face. The productivity apps will still require the Android 4.4 KitKat OS and at least 1GB of RAM to run. Many Android users do not have smartphones that meet these requirements, and will likely have to wait until their next phone upgrade.

Google has also stated that only half of the user base meets the software and hardware requirements, which is unfortunate both for Microsoft and for those hoping to use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on a mobile phone. Even with the limitations, it is great that Microsoft is delivering on its promise to bring the productivity apps to Android smartphones. There are still a lot of people who can use the software now, and more will surely be able to join in over the coming few years.

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