Microsoft updates OneNote for iPhone, reveals iPad version is on the way

By Tom Warren, on 12th Dec 11 4:37 pm with 22 Comments

OneNote 1.3 for iOS

Microsoft unveiled version 1.3 of their OneNote app for iPhone on Monday.

The update brings performance and reliability updates to the existing application alongside table support. Microsoft also promises OneNote for iPad support with the latest 1.3 version. The iPad optimised version of OneNote does not appear to be available at the time of writing but the latest version brings a splash screen at start-up (see below), hinting that Microsoft will bake the support into the existing app. ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley notes that Microsoft’s description of the OneNote app for iOS indicates that an iPad version is on the way. “Microsoft OneNote for iPad is now available; download it from the iTunes App Store,” says a note on the Apple App Store description of OneNote 1.3 for iOS.

Microsoft previously shipped OneNote 1.2 in July, opening up the app to international markets. The update is part of a number of app updates and new applications for iOS by Microsoft. The software maker has delivered some new iOS applications in December and expect to see more before the month closes.

You can download the latest version of OneNote for iOS at Apple’s App Store.

OneNote for iPad splash

  • http://twitter.com/JustEriksTwits Erik Oegema

    This has to be an  exclusive feature of Windows Phone. 

    • Windows Fan

      Don’t worry. The Windows Phone OneNote application looks way better than that. I find it so easy to also sync my notebooks with my phone through skydrive.

    • Anonymous

      Seeing as how key WP7 features are now on other platforms I don’t think MS sees WP7 as a priority in itself, just that it gives them a presence in the mobile world. Wouldn’t expect any Microsoft service to be exclusive to WP7 from this point on.

    • Guest

      It’s a priority. But what they understand, that you two geniuses don’t, is that iOS and Android are way ahead today. And if they don’t bring some of their apps to those platforms, albeit typically with less functionality that the WP7 equivalent, then they risk losing out in those other businesses as well. Ever heard the “expression cut off your nose to spite your face”? That’s what you’re asking them to do. Luckily, they’re smarter than that.

    • Anonymous

      But they typically dont have less functionality. And really, MS has already lost out on the business of iphone and android users. Or else they would be WP7 users.

    • Guest

      @efjay01:disqus 

      They invariably do have less functionality, except where they’ve come to those platforms first because they were already in the pipeline. And I’m talking about losing out on their Office, Bing, etc, businesses. I thought I’d made that pretty clear. Obviously they’ve already lost out the Phone OS business on iOS or Android devices.

    • BadManDuke

      Putting these apps out onto other platforms is a way of letting users of those platforms be aware of their offerings.  MS already supports the Mac platform with Office. This is just an extension of that support.

      The whole point is that people can pick up on their apps and be shown that the experience is much more cohesive on WP.

      If they pull all of their apps from other platforms and make them exclusive to their own, they run the risk of conceeding the marketshare for each respective application (skype, office, etc) and invite regulartory scrutiny for this practice. MS is at a severe disadvantage as their WP platform doesn’t need to have substantial marketshare for that to happen as their competition can simply point to past abuses.

      With several governments in dire straights at the moment, I bet several of them would be more than happy to hit them with multimillion $$ fines. Regardless of whether or not those claims have merit.

    • Anonymous

      Never said anything about pulling their apps from competing platforms. Skype was already available before MS acquired them so obviously pulling that would raise issues for them. Same with office on the mac.

      Anyway as usual, the concensus is that this helps WP because the experience is better. Time will tell if this is borne out in increased sales.

    • Guest

      I thought you left the platform? Or was that just something your Digger1985 alias said for effect?

    • Anonymous

      Dont be silly, I only use one name to post. And never said anything about leaving WP7, no matter how MS mucks it up.

    • OMG55

      Initially, I said they should stop release things on competitor platforms until WP7 takes off, but now I’m rethinking that for other reasons:

      1. It looks like since Mr. Jobs in gone, MS is being allowed to release more of their products on Apple devices. If you remember, in the begining, it was only a deal that allowed Apple product to ship with MS browser as the default. (Consumers become more conscious of MS presence and broad it reach…”No limit” as Master P would say).

      2. If item one creates brand awareness and MS more prevalent to all of the MS bashers who troll this site with negativity….I wonder how they feel with all of the announcements of MS software being release on their beloved products now!

      3. Of course, a broader revenue stream….Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money!

      4. This only means the MS is aware of the technology on competitor platforms and their next release will be far superior to any of them.

      I look forward to see what Apollo brings!

    • Anonymous

       Think of it as the WP7 experience is exclusive. Sure you can use One Note on iOS but the UX sucks compared to using it on a WP7. Same thing for XBox Live or Bing.

    • BadManDuke

      MS cannot afford to give up marketshare for their individual applications, which collectively are quite substantial. Pulling Office from iOS for instance, only invites Google and Apple to fill the void.

      It sounds like a good idea at first, but you have to consider the bigger picture.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NZRPL7DK7DFQQO44J5TM4PQLGU Harvey

      Being an exclusive to Windows Phone may only be wanted by the Windows Phone team and fans.  Yep i’m a Windows Phone fan.

      But, MS has to concider the big picture.  And what about the Office team??  They want to get the app out to as many people as possible.

      Over the last few years its been getting very clear how internal MS works (even though its probably been like this forever ).
      The different divisions inside MS compete…hard.
      * Office division wants its product in as many hands as possible.  That’s why you see it on apple products.
      * Live division wants as many people as possible to use the “Live” services.  That’s why MS made the hotmail and sky drive app for all platforms, not just WP7.
      * Bing wants high search use of it engine.  That’s why there’s a bing iPad app.  And to top it off, the Bing team even went so far as to release apps on the iPhone and iPad that isn’t even available on WP7!?!?!?  WTH!!

      Anyway, I don’t think the different divisions are waiting on new WP7 functionality to release an app or service.  The office and Bing teams are like, “we got to get that money!!  Don’t have time to wait on WP7″

  • http://revanmj.pl/ Michał Jakubowski

    Also with 1.3 update, OneNote for iOS is now available worldwide and there is an in-app purchase (3,99 € here in Europe) which adds ability to edit more than 500 synced notes.

  • Guest

    Of course this is a good idea. To use it, you have to hook up with Live. The iOS user then discovers a bunch of other Live features. The iOS user then says, “Wait a minute, these other guys also have an iCloud!? And this “iCloud” does more than my iCloud. Let me look into this…”

    • http://twitter.com/salonerkegi salonerkeği

      Ever heard of Dropbox? That is backed in so well in so many iOS apps, that MS will have to catch up first. Plus, the Windows client of Dropbox works like a charm and it is damn easy to use. Live Mesh has some advantadges for people with multiple PCs but not many people know that and it’s easier for many to know that all files in Dropbox are in cloud and the rest isn’t rather than keeping an eye on shared folders before saving a file somewhere.

      I welcome this as an iPad owner, who gave OneNote 2010 a try for a while (and actually liked it) and stopped using it because there was no iPad app. But thinking that people will consider switching to another ecosystem because of a simple cloud support is naive. That’s a plus for OneNote and for iPad, but not necessarily for MS ecosystem as a whole.

    • http://twitter.com/sageisfree Sage is Free

      Dropbox ? 

      Which a while back allowed anyone to log into anyones account WITHOUT PASSWORD.

      http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/06/21/dropbox-lets-anyone-log-in-as-anyone/

      I hope Microsoft.. or ANYONE don’t “catch up” to this.

    • Guest

      DropBox is good for those people who love to live in a complete mess. I’m not one of them. How can one have all his documents, pictures, etc. inside one folder?

  • http://twitter.com/JoshMartin7 Josh Martin

    Wow iOS sure is ugly…

    • Abiddine

      IOS surely is ugly but the app is clean and beautiful

  • Anonymous

    Onenote for iPad is available now!