Microsoft’s denial of Office for iPad was half-hearted at best, saying only that the story was “based on inaccurate rumors and speculation.” I said at the time the statement was released that something seemed strange.

Microsoft could have come out and said, “these rumors are completely false. We have no plans to offer Office for iPad at this time.” That surely would have put an end to it. But they didn’t do that.

It could be that Microsoft has a place on stage during Apple’s iPad event, which is expected to be held in the next few weeks. That would be the perfect reason for them to issue this half-hearted statement denying the existence of the software for iPad.

Apple likes to highlight cool software for the device it’s introducing, so why not Office? It would be more beneficial for Microsoft than Apple, but still I think Apple would give them a place at the keynote.

I think John Gruber nailed it when he said:

…if Microsoft does get a demo slot on stage during the iPad 3 keynote, Microsoft would be getting much more out of it than Apple.

The days of Microsoft dictating things to Apple are gone. These days Microsoft needs Apple.