Apple has released a new version of its work suit, iWork ‘09. As well as major features being added, a big cloud computing push is being made by Apple to bring collaboration and working online to the forefront.
Following up Seth Weintraub’s reports, our sources had explained that Apple was going to be making a big cloud computing push with iWork ‘09. They were very accurate with Apple’s intentions and also with how Apple would present the new services, which are being offered free, in beta.
Apple’s Press Release: Apple® today introduced iWork® ’09, the latest version of Apple’s popular office productivity suite, which adds powerful new features without sacrificing Apple’s legendary ease of use. Keynote® ’09 introduces advanced object transitions, which automatically animate objects with a choice of effects and Magic Move, an innovative way to create sophisticated animations just by applying a simple transition. Pages® ’09 features a new Full Screen view that helps you focus on your writing and an outline mode to organize your thoughts. Numbers® ’09 introduces a quick way to group and summarize data and a dramatically simplified way to create complex formulas. Apple also announced iWork.com public beta, a new service Apple is developing to share iWork ’09 documents online.
iWork.com public beta, a new service Apple is developing to share iWork ’09 documents online. Using your Apple ID, just click the iWork.com icon in the Keynote, Pages or Numbers toolbar to upload your document and invite others to view it online. Viewers can provide comments and notes, and download a copy of your document in iWork, Microsoft Office or PDF formats. A consolidated online list of all your shared documents indicates when your viewers have posted comments.
The new suite of applications and online services are being made available today, and can be found at the Apple Store online.
6 Comments to “Apple Unveils iWork ‘09, Cloud Computing Push Was True”
Well there is a “cloud computing” component built in for ‘09, but it appears to be collaboration only; not even any basic editing through the browser. So (thankfully) not even close to a full suite “in the cloud”, or a replacement for the desktop. Also, what about the iMovie web app? Ha!
For the record, I think the idea of charging separately for iWork access (especially when it’s just collaboration) is a mistake. Maybe Apple will change that approach before coming out of Beta.
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yep. it isn’t really cloud computing. it is basically a system to iwork like mobileme is to ilife. a way to share stuff. that’s all.
and I agree that perhaps charging is a mistake. then again, who knows how they will do it. perhaps if you have mobileme, you can iwork.com for free or a tiny add on price (that might add some space to your account to cover your documents. but if you don’t have and don’t want mobileme, you pay a higher price.
i wouldn’t be willing to pay another $99 a year to have iwork.com but I might be willing to pay $5-10 to add it to my mobileme.
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Free = Good : beta = not ready for primetime
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I suppose the Beta tag will buy some leeway if/when iWork.com behaves like MobileMe
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given the kinks that could happen as they launch, i’m glad they aren’t charging right away. and that it isn’t some 60 day trial situation. that was not pretty last summer.
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I’ve been trying the http://www.iwork.com service and it works pretty well with me! Great job from Apple!
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