BetaNews | Microsoft, Apple Strengthen Partnership

BetaNews Microsoft, Apple Strengthen Partnership: "Microsoft Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to the Mac platform, announcing an agreement with Apple to produce Office for Mac for a minimum of five years. The company also said it plans to make improvements to Entourage 2004 for Mac, as well as build converters to read Microsoft's Open XML format.
'The Mac platform has never been stronger, and we're pleased that Microsoft is committed to delivering great Mac products for many years to come,' Apple's vice president of marketing Philip Schiller said in a statement.
The Macintosh Business Unit has been a part of Microsoft for the past two decades. While some may view the two as bitter rivals, it was Microsoft that saved Apple upon Steve Jobs' return in the late 1990s after the company nearly collapsed due to mismanagement and slow computer sales.
Several Entourage 2004 enhancements are on tap to be released in March, including Sync Services integration and support for Spotlight searching. Plans are also in the works for enhancements involving Smart Card technology."