Microsoft Office arrives on Chromebooks via Google Play Store

Microsoft workplace is currently on the market for Google Chromebook users through the Google Play Store – a notable addition, given the 2 corporations supply competitory merchandise in terms of workplace productivity package. Neither Google nor Microsoft square measure creating a proper announcement regarding the workplace applications’ arrival on Chromebooks. however we have a tendency to perceive the workplace humanoid apps can solely be liberal to users with specific devices, whereas others can ought to subscribe workplace 365 to require advantage of the apps.

Chrome Unboxed was the primary to identify the arrival of workplace via Google Play on Chromebooks.

This is the primary time workplace has been on the market to Chromebook users through Google Play as a general unharness, although a report nowadays from ZDNet notes that some Chromebook users had been antecedently able to get Microsoft workplace from the beta version of the Play Store.

The apps’ arrival isn't too shocking, though, as Microsoft had same last year it'd fill up humanoid versions of Microsoft workplace apps on the market to any or all compatible devices once the Google Play Store for Chromebooks exited beta.

As you will recall, Google created Chrome OS capable of supporting humanoid applications last year, however that support had been restricted to pick out models.

Things began to vary in 2017, once the corporate secure that every one new 2017 Chromebook launches would support Google Play. It then delivered on it promise once devices like Samsung’s new Chromebook and, a lot of recently, Google’s flagship Pixelbook arrived.

Despite these changes, Microsoft hadn’t offered associate degree updated timeline for in public transfer its workplace humanoid apps to Chromebooks. That left some to surprise if the apps’ arrival was still forthcoming, whereas others explored workarounds.

Now the workplace humanoid apps for Chromebook square measure here, however there square measure many caveats we should always note.

For starters, simply because all newer Chromebooks currently support Google Play, the flexibility to run humanoid apps on older models remains restricted. (A list of that choose devices square measure able to run Google Play is offered here).

In addition, users with devices whose screens square measure ten.1 inches or larger can would like associate degree workplace 365 subscription to use the humanoid apps, ZDNet conjointly identified.

Of course, Google’s G Suite remains the a lot of probably alternative for variety of Chromebook users, however the flexibility to use Microsoft workplace on a Chromebook makes them a probably a lot of viable possibility for businesses victimization Microsoft’s package.

That could be one reason why Microsoft isn’t creating plenty of noise regarding its workplace humanoid apps currently acting on Chromebooks. the opposite is Windows ten S – the efficient version of Windows ten the corporate is positioning as its Chrome OS contender.

Microsoft hasn’t (yet) provided a inquire into the news of the apps’ arrival. Google declined to comment.