Microsoft to Launch Mac Version of OneNote - Analyst Blog

Microsoft Corporation MSFT announced that it will soon launch OneNote app for Apple Inc.'s AAPL graphical client interface-based operating systems, Mac OS X. It is rumored that the software will be available for free.

OneNote was released nearly a decade ago and is currently available on Windows, iOS, and Android. It is a notebook like app that helps users to collect essential information including notes, web pages, links, rough drafts, videos and other information. The software when incorporated with Microsoft Office 365 Suite costs $100 per user and consists of features like clipping screenshots or printing documents. OneNote 2013 independently costs $70.

It is believed that, with the new update, OneNote will be separated from Office and will be available for free on Windows Phone, Android, or iOS and can also be used as web software via Microsoft SkyDrive. It will also support new web clipper extensions in leading browsers, which will enable customers to save clips from online browsers and sync links between personal computer browsers and mobile devices. Moreover, users will also be allowed to email notes.

With this launch Microsoft plans to increase its efforts to spread out the quality and performance of OneNote. Also, Microsoft aims at competing against note-taking apps such as Google Inc.‘s GOOG KEEP and Evernote. Both Evernote and Google KEEP are free apps but Evernote offers premium services also. While Google KEEP is available only on web and Android, Evernote‘s availability is far more extensive as it provides a range of its own apps for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry Limited's BBRY devices, Mac OS x and Windows.

Apart from this, Microsoft plans to release Office for iPad and a new 2014 edition of Office for Mac this year. Microsoft is trying to increase its foothold into many platforms, but it should incorporate more convincing elements into its products than its rivals to succeed.

Currently, Microsoft holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).