Microsoft appears to be continuing its migration of its software functionality to the iPad, as this week, the company announced the availability of OneNote on Apple’s venerated tablet.

 

This follows recent news at the beginning of this month that the Redmond-based company was developing an office app suite for the iPad.  

 

The app enables users to create searchable notes with text, pictures and bullet lists and manage to-do lists that can be checked as a task is completed. Additionally, users can sync their notes using Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud offering, which the company has explained will enable users to access their OneNote notes from any device.

 

The free version of the app enables one to access, create and edit up to 500 notes. To expand beyond this limit, one can upgrade for unrestricted access for $15 (R120). While this is on the more expensive side of the apps store, it also positions OneNote as a productivity app for business that can command a higher price.

 

The app does require a free Windows Live ID though to sign in. Additionally, you do need to be connected to the internet (either over Wi-Fi or 3G) to access the app and your notebooks. This is pretty much in keeping with that master of the cloud-based note taking apps, Evernote, although Evernote does allow you to upgrade to a paid version in order to access your notebooks offline.  

 

In preliminary use of the free version, we found the OneNote app to work very well, boasting a clean interface and overall responsiveness –  whether typing a new note, inserting pictures from our photo gallery (you can do so from your iPad’s camera as well) or making bullet point lists within the note. Notes can be saved into different notebooks, and individual notes can also be emailed from within the app.

 

The OneNote app, which is a reasonable five megabyte download, follows Microsoft’s launch of its My Xbox Live app last week, which enables users to change their Xbox avatar on the iPad, track their achievements, as well as access Xbox Spotlight feeds, breaking news and game tips.