Microsoft: relationship with Apple remains strong

Posted on 5 Jan 2005 at 09:50

Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to the Mac version of its Office productivity software, despite tumours that Apple may be about to unveil iWork, the long-awaited revamp of AppleWorks.

In a brief statement Scott Erickson, product manager for Microsoft's Mac Business Unit, said, 'Our relationship with Apple remains productive and strong. Ninety-two per cent of Mac users tell us they need file compatibility between Mac and Windows - we deliver that with Office for Mac. We're committed to delivering this critical level of compatibility to customers and are well under way on the next versions of Office and Virtual PC for Mac.'

The fact that Office documents are readily exchanged between platforms means that any iWork offering is unlikely to threaten Microsoft's dominance. It will likely sit in the space currently occupied by AppleWorks for users who do not need the full power of Office, in the same way that Microsoft Works is the alternative on PCs.

Author: Simon Aughton

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