Microsoft’s new OneNote and Lync apps for iPad, iPhone are coming

On December 12, Microsoft released the new OneNote app for iPad and an updated app for other iOS devices like iPhone, iPod touch, etc. Meanwhile, Microsoft made available its Lync 2010 client app for Windows Phone, and the new Lync clients for iPhone, iPad, Android and Nokia Symbian have been submitted to their respective mobile app marketplaces and will be available as soon as they have been approved.

"Since the launch of OneNote for iPhone nearly a year ago, a recurring request from our customers has been for a version that can be used more easily on the iPad's larger screen," Microsoft said in a blog post. "We're happy to announce that today's new release of OneNote for iOS devices includes a version that's tailored for the iPad." Microsoft updated the app with better navigation, table viewing and performance. More significantly, Microsoft released a whole new version that fills up the greater real estate on an iPad screen. Previously, iPad users would have to use a blown-up version of the iPhone OneNote app, which didn't look very appealing and wasn't optimized for a larger device.

OneNote notebooks are stored via Microsoft SkyDrive. "Your own cloud-based SkyDrive account lets you easily sync all of your notebooks across all of your devices, so they're always up-to-date and accessible from virtually anywhere—on your iPhone, your iPad, your Web browser, or your computer," Microsoft said. Today's 1.3 update provides support for the iPad and iPad 2. Other new features, which also apply to the iPhone, include: localization into several new languages and markets; tabbed user interface; quick note creation in the Unfiled Notes section; table rendering; improved Windows Live sign-in experience; the option to sync notebooks only over a Wi-Fi connection; and integrated upgrade option.

Lync, the Microsoft’s successor to Office Communications Server, is the Microsoft’s unified communications platform that the company launched a year ago. Lync provides enterprise instant-messaging, VOIP and conferencing. There is also a Microsoft-hosted version of Lync that is available as a standalone service and part of Office 365 that is known as Lync Online. According to the Microsoft, the new Lync mobile client allows instant messaging, call-related features and audio conferencing using a Lync ID, which is dependent on an organization having Lync 2010 Server installed. The mobile client must be provisioned by the Lync server administrator first, and that will enable users to download and begin using the various Lync 2010 mobile apps, a Microsoft unified communications team blog explained.

However, Apple devices must be running iOS 4.3 or higher to access OneNote 1.3, and users must sign up for a free Windows Live account. The app is free to download and users get up to 500 free notes. After that, it's $4.99 for unlimited use on the iPhone and $14.99 for unlimited use on the iPad. Meanwhile, if you were hoping for more official word today on some kind of Microsoft Office suite on the iPad, don’t hold your breath. Microsoft still are not commenting on rumors that Office for the iPad will be out — in some form — in 2012.

DVD Creator, DVD Ripper