There are a lot of iOS users who are waiting patiently for Microsoft’s Office productivity suite to finally make its App Store debut. Although Microsoft is maintaining its silence on the subject, recent reports have claimed that Office for iOS will arrive this year. Some developers have taken advantage of that speculation and begun making their own “Office” products.
No, I don’t mean the genuine productivity suites that have been available for some time — many of which are very good. I mean the knockoff apps that try their hardest to look like Microsoft’s own Office products just to trick you into handing over your cash. The latest is called “Microsoft Word 2012” by Super Racing Real Games.
No only does the app look a little like Word, but the fact that it’s called “Microsoft Word 2012” means its intentions are obvious. This developer is clearly taking advantage of everyone’s lust for a real Office suite by producing a knockoff of their own. Fortunately for those who have been fooled by the name and the screenshots, the app is free, so you won’t be out of pocket. But you can bet that as it begins to make its way up the charts, that price tag will change.
Admittedly, in its description, the app claims to be more of a guide to Word, rather than Word itself. But again, its icon and screenshots make its intentions to fool you pretty clear.
Even as a guide, this app is terrible. Its instructions are unclear and poorly written, and there are no screenshots to help you learn. With that said, it should be avoided at all costs.
How this app made its way through Apple’s approval process with that name is a surprise to us.
UPDATE: And just like that, the price shot up to $9.99.
Source: App Store