Apple announced on Tuesday that it has updated its iWork productivity suite for iOS with universal versions compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch. Though originally released for the larger iPad, you can now use the iOS-flavored iWork to create and edit word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation files on Apple's pocket-sized mobile devices.
iWork includes Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and Apple developed iPad versions when the device was originally launched in April 2010. When we reviewed the apps then, we noted that the iPad's 10" touchscreen worked pretty well and that Apple had done a fairly impressive job of translating the desktop apps to its tablet. However, we also warned that its formatting limitations, awkward file access, and inability to print were likely to be serious problems for most users.
Apple has since improved file access a bit by adding iDisk support and adding AirPrint to iOS, which allows wireless printing to a select few HP printers. And while Apple has apparently done a lot of work to shoehorn iWork's iPad interface onto the 3.5" screen of the iPhone, users are likely to run into those same limitations we outlined last year.
You can open files created in iWork for Mac or corresponding Microsoft Office applications, edit them, and even send the changes back to the desktop. However, formatting can get bungled in the process, and performing anything other than minor edits using the iPhone or iPod touch's tiny keyboard would probably give even the most ardent smartphone typist a headache. The new iWork versions are compatible with the iPhone 3GS and third-gen iPod touch, though a comment from Apple SVP Phil Schiller seems to suggest the small-screen versions work best with Retina display devices.
"The incredible Retina display, revolutionary Multi-Touch interface and our powerful software make it easy to create, edit, organize and share all of your documents from iPhone 4 or iPod touch," Schiller said in a statement.
Still, the ability to edit office-type documents right from your phone is pretty impressive in and of itself, and we imagine it could come in handy in emergency situations. We think Apple went in the right direction by building universal apps, so users that already have the iPad versions can get the new iPhone version as a free update.
All three updated apps—Pages, Numbers, and Keynote—are available now in the App Store for $9.99 each, or as a free update to existing users.
iWork includes Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and Apple developed iPad versions when the device was originally launched in April 2010. When we reviewed the apps then, we noted that the iPad's 10" touchscreen worked pretty well and that Apple had done a fairly impressive job of translating the desktop apps to its tablet. However, we also warned that its formatting limitations, awkward file access, and inability to print were likely to be serious problems for most users.
Apple has since improved file access a bit by adding iDisk support and adding AirPrint to iOS, which allows wireless printing to a select few HP printers. And while Apple has apparently done a lot of work to shoehorn iWork's iPad interface onto the 3.5" screen of the iPhone, users are likely to run into those same limitations we outlined last year.
You can open files created in iWork for Mac or corresponding Microsoft Office applications, edit them, and even send the changes back to the desktop. However, formatting can get bungled in the process, and performing anything other than minor edits using the iPhone or iPod touch's tiny keyboard would probably give even the most ardent smartphone typist a headache. The new iWork versions are compatible with the iPhone 3GS and third-gen iPod touch, though a comment from Apple SVP Phil Schiller seems to suggest the small-screen versions work best with Retina display devices.
"The incredible Retina display, revolutionary Multi-Touch interface and our powerful software make it easy to create, edit, organize and share all of your documents from iPhone 4 or iPod touch," Schiller said in a statement.
Still, the ability to edit office-type documents right from your phone is pretty impressive in and of itself, and we imagine it could come in handy in emergency situations. We think Apple went in the right direction by building universal apps, so users that already have the iPad versions can get the new iPhone version as a free update.
All three updated apps—Pages, Numbers, and Keynote—are available now in the App Store for $9.99 each, or as a free update to existing users.
0 comments:
Post a Comment