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Microsoft updates Office apps ahead of iOS 9 release

In the build up to iOS 9’s arrival, Microsoft has started rolling out updates to its Office apps on iOS.

The most obvious new addition to Word, Outlook, OneNote, Excel and PowerPoint is multi-tasking support.

Once you’ve downloaded iOS 9 on your iPad, you’ll be able to run any of Microsoft’s Office apps simultaneously – just as Windows users have long been able to do.

Unfortunately, multi-tasking will arrive only on the iPad Air 2 and, when it lands, the iPad Pro. Owners of the other models in the iPad line won’t get a sniff of one of iOS 9’s headline features.

Outlook and OneNote now include Spotlight search support, while keen Word, PowerPoint and Excel users will also be treated to keyboard shortcuts.

Furthermore, OneNote supports Handoff, allowing you to create notes on an iPhone and continue working on them on an iPad.

Amid some confusion, Microsoft appeared on stage during Apple’s iPhone 6S launch event last week, lavishing praise on the iPad Pro despite it appearing very similar to the Surface Pro 3.

SEE ALSO: iOS 9 features: What’s new?

iOS 9 will land as a free update this evening, featuring a dramatically more capable Siri, a battery-saving mode and an improved version of Apple Maps.      

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