Microsoft is rumored to be planning an expansion of its OneNote software to new platforms as well as developers. A report on ZDNet claims, via unnamed sources, that Microsoft will release a free version of OneNote for Mac users, along with a stand alone version for the Windows desktop.
The report doesn"t have a timetable for when the Mac and desktop Windows versions will be released, other than "soon". While Microsoft has released stand alone free OneNote apps for iOS, Android and the Modern version of Windows 8, the Mac OS has never had a OneNote app. It has been available for desktop Windows users for some time, but only as part of the suite of Office apps and never as a stand alone free product.
ZDNet also reports that Microsoft is planning to open up the OneNote API so that third party developers can create their own apps that incorporate the note taking software. This is apparently an attempt to expand the use of OneNote to be more competitive with other software, particularly Evernote.
The news of OneNote coming to the Mac comes on the heels of unconfirmed reports that a new version of Office for Mac is in development, but may not be released until the end of 2014. It"s possible that the OneNote Mac app will be launched separately from the rest of the Office suite.
Source: ZDNet | Image via Microsoft