Microsoft updates OneNote app for iPhone and iPad users

Microsoft has released two key updates for its OneNote and Lync mobile apps designed to improve the productivity of business workers on the move.

OneNote 1.3 is now available for iOS devices and includes a number of key enhancements. Microsoft has added a tabbed user interface and a quick note creation option, and the app now supports table rendering and the option to sync notebooks over Wi-Fi.

Customer demand has led Microsoft to make an iPad specific app available that makes use of the entire 9.7in screen, said Michael Oldenburg, technical writer at Microsoft, in the OneNote blog.

The OneNote app is compatible with devices running Apple iOS 4.3 or later. Microsoft also requires users to have a Windows Live account if they want to activate notebook storage in the cloud through the Microsoft SkyDrive service.

Microsoft has also launched Lync 2010 for Windows Phone which is available to download from the Windows Marketplace.

The Lync 2010 mobile app is optimised for use on smartphones and allows users to check availability of colleagues, start instant messages and join conference calls.

BJ Haberkorn, Microsoft Lync group product manager, explained that the app will be invaluable for business users who need to keep in touch with a large number of colleagues on the move.

"I use Lync instant messaging multiple times each day and our single click conference join feature nearly as often. Gone are the days of trying to remember and type 800 numbers and passwords as I walk or drive," he noted on the Unified Communications Group Team blog.

"I travel a great deal and the ability to search our corporate directory and easily start a call or chat right from the search results on my phone is invaluable."

Businesses that are already using Lync 2010 need to enable mobile functionality before users can use the app, details of which are on the Lync 2010 Mobility Service Update page.

Microsoft has also confirmed that Lync 2010 apps have also been submitted to the iOS, Android and Symbian app stores and will be available shortly.