Microsoft Won't Offer Free Office Apps for Many Chrome OS Devices
Chrome OS devices with screens larger than 10.1" will need an Office 365 subscription.
[SITE DEFAULT AUTHOR NAME] Nov 13, 2016
Microsoft has long offered free mobile versions of Word, PowerPoint, and other Office apps, but the company is set to exclude more devices from that offering as Google blurs the line between notebooks and mobile devices.
Google is gradually implementing the ability to run Android apps on laptops and desktops powered by its Chrome operating system, and Microsoft announced this week that it will include Chromebooks with screens larger than 10.1" in an existing policy that prevents larger Android devices from running free Office apps.
"After signing in with a free Microsoft account, the core viewing, creating, editing and printing experience is free in Office apps for iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile, on devices 10.1" or smaller," Microsoft said in a statement to 9to5Google.
While users who have opted in to the beta version of the Google Play store for Chrome OS might be disappointed that they can't run the free Office mobile apps, the policy makes sense from Microsoft's point of view, since the 10.1" screen size restriction is not new.
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The Verge notes that Microsoft applied the same rules to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro when it was released last year, while the smaller iPad Pro still retains free access to Microsoft Office. On Android or iOS devices larger than 10.1", an Office 365 subscription is required to unlock the ability to create, edit or print documents.
Microsoft also clarified that all eligible Chrome OS devices will have access to the free versions of Office apps once the Google Play store for Chrome graduates from beta.
"While Google Play on Chrome OS is in beta, we are partnering with Google to deliver the best experience for Chromebook users and plan to make the apps available on all compatible devices by general availability," according to the company's statement.