<p>Finally, Microsoft is opening itself up to the real world and to some free love.</p><p>Almost four years to the day after the release of the first iPad, Microsoft deigned to put out a version of its flagship software package, the Office productivity suite, for the Apple tablet. The company had previously hoarded Office for its own Windows-based tablet system, a conservative approach designed to protect the operating system that Microsoft has long considered its crown jewel.</p><p>Putting out Office for iPad is a clear sign that Microsoft is finally liberating itself from long-held dogma and embracing new ideas. That change in strategy means Microsoft customers will finally be able to choose freely among hardware platforms, that Office users will be able to share data more readily between home and office, and that iPad owners can tap an even wider and more powerful collection of apps. Microsoft, meanwhile, finally has a fighting chance in the battle for the future of computing.</p><p>"The Office team is finally being allowed to compete on all platforms instead of paying the strategy tax." Joel Spolsky</p><p><a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/03/office-for-ipad-shows-microsoft-liberalization/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://time.com/42648/microsoft-office-ipad/">Microsoft Office for the iPad: It&#039;s the Suite You Want If You Want Office on ...</a> (TIME)</p><p><a href="http://www.techtimes.com/articles/4940/20140329/weekend-microsoft-office-for-ipad-vs-iwork-which-is-best-for-you.htm">Microsoft Office for iPad vs. iWork: Which is best for you?</a> (Tech Times)</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/office-for-ipad-one-of-microsofts-finest-moments-7000027848/">Office for iPad: One of Microsoft&#039;s finest moments</a> (ZDNet)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dT0pTj5GcPQKw2MBX80IaZyPaSqCM&authuser=0&ned=us">1,456 additional articles.</a></p>