Microsoft has got ‘bad news’ for Chromebook users

Chromebooks have gotten really popular in the last one year or so. They are affordable, get the job done for most casual users and remain easy to use. One of the better features of Chromebooks is that it allows support for various apps. Now, it has been revealed that Microsoft is killing its Office app for Chromebook.
According to a report by AboutChromebooks, Microsoft has confirmed that the app for Chromebook will be removed from Google Play Store. A Microsoft spokesperson told the publication, “In an effort to provide the most optimised experience for Chrome OS/Chromebook customers, Microsoft apps (Office and Outlook) will be transitioned to web experiences ( Office.com and Outlook.com) on September 18, 2021. This transition brings Chrome OS/Chromebook customers access to additional and premium features. Customers will need to sign in with their personal Microsoft Account or account associated with their Microsoft 365 subscription.”
This doesn’t mean that Chromebook owners won’t be able to use Microsoft apps. It’s just that they won’t be able to download them from the Google Play Store. Microsoft will only offer Office on Chromebooks through its web apps. Users will need to use office.com and outlook.com from September 18 to access the Office on Chromebook. The Office apps will continue to be available on Android from Play Store.
Chromebooks have gained a lot of popularity in the last one year or so. A report by Canalys in May suggested that Chromebooks grew by a whopping 274% in Q1 2021 compared to last year.“Google is now in a strong position to work with its OEM partners and the channel to cement a rosy future for Chromebooks. A substantial messaging and evangelisation push coupled with the targeting of growth trends, such as flexible work arrangements and budget-conscious SMBs, will be vital to ensure the longevity of Chromebooks’ success,” an analyst of Canalys said.