- iWork
- QuickOffice Connect Mobile Suite
- Documents to Go
- Office2 HD
- Honorable Mentions
- Final Thoughts
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
QuickOffice Connect Mobile Suite
QuickOffice (http://www.quickoffice.com/) has been making mobile office suites for more than a decade. The company currently produces iPad and iPhone versions along with releases for Android (a device-specific version of which ships on the Barnes and Noble Nook Color), webOS, and Symbian. The iPad version is designed to make full use of the tablet's screen real estate and features and is the most desktop-like office suite out there for the iPad.
QuickOffice Connect Mobile Suite for iPad currently costs $14.99 and is the most robust office suite available. It includes support for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files; includes the major formatting options and spreadsheet functions; and can create and edit files stored on a variety of cloud services.
The user interface is kept clean and simple with only the core view/formatting features displayed in toolbars specific to each type of document, though additional options are easy to locate via pop-up options in each toolbar.
The simplicity of use extends to the file management features. A simple, column-based file manager allows easy browsing of locally stored files as well as files stored on a cloud service. The interface treats both kinds of storage equally and is instantly familiar to anyone who has used Windows or Mac OS X. This is probably one of the best advantages of QuickOffice, particularly when coupled with support for multiple cloud service accounts.
Another advantage is support for video output when displaying presentations. QuickOffice supports any video output option available for the iPad and includes a virtual laser pointer features that lets a presenter highlight text or elements onscreen and have a red dot appear on the display. Also, like most solutions, QuickOffice supports printing using Apple's AirPrint.
- Price: $14.99
- Local file storage/transfer: iTunes, Wi-Fi file sharing (Windows, Mac OS X)
- Cloud services supported: Google Docs, Mobile Me's iDisk, Dropbox, Box.net, Huddle, SugarSync (all two-way sync), SlideShare, Scribd, Doctstoc (export only)
- Document types supported: Microsoft Office 97[nd]2003, Microsoft Office 2007+ (PowerPoint 2007+ view only)
- Pros: Desktop-like look and feel, ease of file management, broad cloud support, AirPrint support, full presentation display capabilities
- Cons: Lack of support for PowerPoint 2007+ file editing
- Overall: While all the visual bells and whistles of Apple's Keynote or Pages may not be available, there is more than enough editing/formatting power in QuickOffice for most users and the more traditional look and feel, particularly when it comes to file management make a winning product for most users.