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Some of iWork's missing features return with the latest update
Some of the features culled during iWork's 64-bit transition have reappeared with the productivity suite's latest update. To start, Pages, Numbers and Keynote for OS X are regaining their sorely missed custom toolbars. Additionally, Apple's Keynote presentation app for both desktop and iOS picks up a handful of new builds and slide transitions. Oh, and of course there are the typical stability improvements and bug fixes across the board. If you're curious about what else is back, we've listed the full release notes after the break.
iWork apps updated with customization options
Apple has updated the three apps that make up the iWork suite. Pages was updated to version 5.0.1. This upgrade adds the ability to customize the toolbar with the tools you deem most important. In addition, the center and edge guides are now on by default. Keynote is up to version 6.0.1. The update adds the ability to customize the toolbar with the tools you deem most important. A number of slide transitions were added. Numbers* received a bump to version 3.0.1. The toolbar is now customizable. In addition, the window size and placement is preserved when you save a document. You can also set the default zoom in the preferences. The current iWork suite is compatible with OS X 10.9 Mavericks only. The iWork 9.3 update is recommended for OS X Lion 10.7.x and OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.x users. *Typo corrected.
Tis the season to subscribe: What's on my annual service renewal lists
As November rolls around, it's generally time for me to take stock, look at my current service subscriptions (as opposed to entertainment subscriptions like Netflix and Hulu) and weigh what items I'm going to invest in for the next twelve months. Some of my subscriptions are annual choices. They time out after 12 months. Others are ongoing, so a time to evaluate and choose is especially helpful. Of course, services are a highly personal thing. The ones I subscribe to may or may not meet your needs and vice versa. So I've tried to keep my list of the services I'm considering fairly general and Apple consumer specific. If you have suggestions to add, please drop them in the comments -- and let me know if you run across particular deals that crop up near Black Friday. Offsite Backup. Time Machine, which I swear by, will get you only so far in life. Unless you're backing up offsite, you're exposing your data to enormous risk. Any physical damage to your workspace will probably affect your onsite backups as well as your main system. Offsite means greater peace of mind. Personally, I'm a Crashplan customer due to the unlimited backups and reasonable yearly fees. (Plus Mike Evangelist really sold me on the service.) Regardless of which provider you go with, you really should be thinking about adding an offsite plan to your Black Friday grab bag. Last year, Crashplan offered an insanely sweet deal for new customers (which I missed out on by two freaking weeks) so keep your eyes open for theirs and other deals on the day. VPN Service. If you lean towards the Wi-Fi lifestyle (and I do), when hanging out at Panera, Einsteins, Starbucks, and so forth, you'll probably want to consider picking up a VPN subscription for the year. There's a lot of give and take between Wi-Fi and onboard cellular, but the biggest difference is security. When you grab data directly over cellular, you can generally feel pretty good about privacy. Using shared Wi Fi means compromise -- speed, reliability, transparency. Using VPN enables you to shop, read mail, and perform other personal tasks without worrying about snooping. I've been using Witopia this year and it's been pretty good. I find it much better for light surfing and email when on the go than for privacy when at home, so about 90% of my use has been on my iPad and MacBook Air. Although I had intended to use VPN for day-to-day work, I found that heavy data loads (such as downloading new versions of Xcode) over VPN is just an exercise in frustration. Cloud. I want my data wherever I am. I'm a big fan of Dropbox and not such a big fan of iCloud but that's just me. Your mileage will, of course, vary -- and there are many new providers now out there in the field. This is a really good time of year to hunt for cloud deals for pro level accounts. Just be aware that real life stories like Everpix demonstrate why you need to be very, very careful as to where you trust your data. Online Apps. Unlike last year, this is the year that subscribing to cloud-based applications really took off. You might want to take a peek at Adobe, Microsoft Office, or Apple's iWork to see if their offerings might be what you need for next year. I'm intrigued by iWork in particular, and looking forward to seeing how well it transforms my work flow from desk-based to mobile. What services do you subscribe to? And which ones are you considering testing for the first time this year?
iWork for iCloud update brings those collaborative tools we've been waiting for
We're not going so far as to call it a Google Docs killer, but those iWork updates announced back at the iPad event the other month certainly make Apple's productivity tools a fair bit more appealing (particularly when coupled with those returning features, naturally). Those who've tooled around with the iCloud interface have likely noticed a few of the highlighted upgrades have thus far been missing from the proceedings - namely a number of collaborative tools. iWork for iCloud is still carrying a beta label, but as of today is the happy recipient of a number of key changes, including a collaborator list, collaborator cursor and animation (so you can see what your colleagues are working on) and the ability to jump to collaborators. Also added in the update are the abilities to print docs, presentations and spreadsheets in the Tools menu and organize documents in a folder.
Microsoft upgrades Office Web Apps in response to free iWork suite
Perhaps to counter Apple's move to make its iWork office productivity suite free across iOS, Mac and the web, Microsoft today has announced significant updates to its Office Web Apps. The biggest feature is that users now have the ability to co-author documents across Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the web. As Microsoft noted on its Office 365 blog: A document is only as good as the people who contribute to it. So today, we're introducing a new way for people to collaborate on documents with Office Web Apps. Using real-time co-authoring, colleagues, friends and family can contribute and edit documents simultaneously in the Word Web App, PowerPoint Web App or Excel Web App. New real-time presence helps you see where your co-authors are working in the document so that you don't create conflicts as you edit. Additionally, the new ability to see changes to text and formatting as they happen will help you and your co-authors stay on the same page as your ideas develop and evolve. In addition to real-time co-authoring, Microsoft's web apps now also offer improved formatting, styles, and search controls in Word; the ability to drag and drop cells and reorder sheets in Excel; and new picture-cropping functionality in PowerPoint, among other features.
Apple says missing iWork features will return in the next 6 months
When Apple introduced the new iWork for Mac suite last month, it generated a lot of negative press due to substantial missing features that had been a staple of the old iWork '09 suite. Now Apple says many of the missing features are coming back. In an updated Knowledgebase article called About the new iWork for Mac: Features and compatibility, Apple says: The new iWork applications-Pages, Numbers, and Keynote-were released for Mac on October 22nd. These applications were rewritten from the ground up to be fully 64-bit and to support a unified file format between OS X and iOS 7 versions, as well as iWork for iCloud beta. These apps feature an all-new design with an intelligent format panel and many new features such as easy ways to share documents, Apple-designed styles for objects, interactive charts, new templates, and new animations in Keynote. In rewriting these applications, some features from iWork '09 were not available for the initial release. We plan to reintroduce some of these features in the next few releases and will continue to add brand new features on an ongoing basis. The company then goes on to say the following features will be reintroduced into the new version in the following six months: Pages Customize toolbar Vertical ruler Improved alignment guides Improved object placement Import of cells with images Improved word counts Keyboard shortcuts for styles Manage pages and sections from the thumbnail view Numbers Customize toolbar Improvements to zoom and window placement Multi-column and range sort Auto-complete text in cells Page headers and footers Improvements to AppleScript support Keynote Customize toolbar Restoring old transitions and builds Improvements to presenter display Improvements to AppleScript support Six months seems like a long wait, but iWork fans will be happy Apple is at least on the case.
Apple says missing iWork features will return within six months
When Apple took the wraps off a brand new version of iWork last month, it unfortunately had to cut a few features on its way to a 64-bit codebase and drastic redesign. Predictably, more than just a few users cried foul. Thankfully, Cupertino plans to bring those missing features back. It's just going to take some time. The company posted a list of capabilities it will add back to iWork via software updates over the next six months. That includes customizeable toolbars, autocomplete in Numbers and keyboard shortcuts for applying styles to text in Pages, among other things. To see if your favorite missing feature is coming back, check out the full list after the break.
POLL: Did Apple ruin iWork?
Here at TUAW we've been having a lot of internal debate as to whether Apple ruined (or, at the very least, took a step backwards with) the latest iWork for OS X. The latest update saw a completely new UI for Pages, Keynote and Numbers with improved compatibility with iWork for iOS (which also saw significant updates). However, while both iWork suites were updated, it would be hard to call either an "upgrade." That's because Apple choose to remove features from iWork for OS X so it could be more compatible with the less full-featured iWork for iOS. Was this a good move on Apple's part or did they stymie a once-powerful office suite contender? Vote in the poll below and then sound off in the comments! %Poll-85367%
Illegal, trial, and disc versions of iWork and iLife are updating for free, but it's no glitch
Apple is taking its commitment to free upgrades seriously. Following the announcement that OS X Mavericks and updates for iWorks and iLife would be provided free to current owners and new Mac customers, something interesting happened. Even users who were using trial, disc, or illegally downloaded versions of the software were receiving free updates. The programs includes the whole iWork and iLife suite and Aperture. But despite some reports, it isn't a glitch. J. Glenn Künzler at MacTrast experienced the free upgrade on his copy of Aperture, and then tested it again on a DVD version of iLife '09. He then reached out to a contact at Apple to find out where they official stance on the updates was. Their response was surprising. It's no coincidence that Apple's support site doesn't have downloads for the new Aperture, iWork, and iLife updates. They aren't in our Software Update system either – and there's a good reason for that. With Mavericks, we have changed the way we distribute updates for legacy versions of our apps Rather than maintain separate updates for these in addition to the Mac App Store versions of each app, Apple has decided to eliminate their legacy software update system for apps entirely. Instead, when Mavericks discovers legacy apps installed on your Mac, it provisions them as a Mac App Store purchase using your Apple ID. It saves us a lot of time, effort, and bandwidth. After the provision is complete, it will appear in your Mac App Store history as though you have purchased the Mac App Store version of the app. While we are aware that this enables piracy of our apps for unethical users, Apple has never taken a strong stance or action against piracy in the past. We like to believe that our users are honest, even if that belief is in vain. This is a refreshing stand point for a company like Apple to take. While this is a source and not an official release the reality of the updates goes a long way towards confirming it. So if you're on the fence about updating because of the possibly nefarious ways you acquired your copy of iWork don't sweat it. Apple thinks the best of you, regardless of whether or not you've earned it.
AppleScript and Automator gain new features in OS X Mavericks
Mac power users love to play with scripting and automation. If there's something that's repetitive that needs to be done, it's a lot easier just to either use Automator to automate the process or write an AppleScript to dive in a little deeper. With OS X Mavericks, it appears that Apple has added some features that will help "self-developers" who want to add their own capabilities to their Macs and commercial apps. On the other hand, there are fewer scriptable items available in many of the new Apple apps... iCloud Sync To begin with, there's a surprise for anyone who launches either Automator or AppleScript Editor. The first thing you'll find is that both apps were updated with iCloud compatibility. AppleScripts that you've created or Automator workflows can now be moved into the cloud and synced to all of your Macs that are running OS X Mavericks. Sure, that's a little thing, but it's useful if you're creating and updating scripts or workflows that need to be deployed to a handful of Macs automatically. Notifications Want to annoy yourself? AppleScript and Automator now includes a Display Notification command that you can use to send yourself notifications from your own scripts. That's actually quite useful if you want to write a script or run an Automator action that's going to ping you when it's done through Notification Center. There's got to be a way to use this to annoy coworkers... Libraries Now this is cool. Let's say that you have code that can be used in a number of scripts. Now you can create an AppleScript Library, which is a script that contains a frequently used routine. Store that in ~\Library\Script Libraries\, and now any other script can use that code by simply calling it with a new use clause. Write once, use many times. Blogger Don Southard over at MacStories has a good example of how to use libraries in his writeup of scripting and automation improvements in Mavericks. Code Signing This may not sound like a big thing, but it's huge. Apple developers can now generate signed copies of applets and droplets as part of the export process in both AppleScript and Automator. Signing these applets means that users launching them will not get the usual Gatekeeper security warning, and adds an incentive for developers to include easy automation tools in their solutions. Speakable-Workflows Now here's a wonderful addition for those who are creating accessible solutions. If Speakable Items is activated in the Accessibility system preferences, Automator adds a new option to the save dialog to save applets as Speakable Items. With that one click, those items are saved to the Speakable Items architecture and can be executed by speaking the name of the applet. Now, about those new apps... On the bad side, some of the new apps appear to be missing a lot of commands in their dictionaries. For example, opening the dictionary of Pages '09 displayed the following: Compare that to the new dictionary for the current iteration of Pages: What's missing? Well, a lot. The Pages Application Suite used to let you do things like script the addition of a chart or table to a document; the Graphics Suite made it easy to script changes to things like the alpha threshold of an image; and the Text Suite even allowed scripting of things like inserting a table of content to a Pages document or fine-tuning the look of character styles. Can't do that with the new Pages... Hopefully Apple will add these capabilities back in an update to Pages and the other iWork apps. (Thanks to reader Peter P. for noting this omission from Pages.) This is just what I've been able to find -- or not find -- in a cursory look at Maverick's automation tools. As more capabilities and deletions become apparent, this post will be updated. I'd also recommend taking a look at MacOSXAutomation.com, which is always helpful and useful when you're considering the use of the built-in OS X automation tools.
New iLife, iWork now available for download on App Stores
Come and get 'em folks. The new versions of iLife and iWork have officially hit the App Store and the Mac App Store. Here are the direct download links to the various apps. Remember that these apps are free with the purchase of a new Mac or iOS device: iWork for OS X – US$19.99 each Pages Keynote Numbers iLife for OS X – US$14.99 each iPhoto iMovie GarageBand iWork for OS X – US$9.99 each Pages Keynote Numbers iLife for iOS – US$4.99 each iPhoto iMovie GarageBand
iWork redesigned from the ground up, available today for free
iWork has been overhauled from the ground up, and here's a look at some of the features Apple introduced today. The new Keynote was used in Apple's presentation. You can glimpse other features in the screenshot above: Full file compatibility New UI Collaboration added to iWork for iCloud Pages The new UI is responsive to what the user is doing Styles for every kind of object Numbers Free object-based designs that are interactive Keynote Object-based animation Transitions updated with more realistic physics, with new ones added Like with other announced software, iWork is available for free with the purchase of a new Mac or iOS device, and it's available today.
Apple redesigns iWork, brings collaboration features via iCloud
Today Apple announced that it has redesigned its iWork suite of applications, complete with a new user interface and 64-bit compatibility. The company's Eddy Cue took to the stage to "uncover" a number of changes to the productivity apps, including an all-new design on mobile and a total re-write of the desktop versions. There's now also full file compatibility across devices and platforms, plus the ability to collaborate with others on Pages, Keynote and Numbers using iWork for iCloud. As is the case with the new iLife, iWork will be available free of charge with any new purchase of an iOS device or a Mac.
Apple teases new iWork for iCloud coming 'in a few short hours'
Apple has begun placing teaser banners on the iWork for iCloud apps, including Pages, Keynote and Numbers. When logging onto iCloud.com and selecting one of the iWork apps, users are now greeted with this banner above their iWork documents: We're updating Pages/Numbers/Keynote for iCloud! In just a few short hours, you'll be able to create and edit documents, and enjoy great new features. This notice seems to officially confirm what many had suspected: that today will not only be a hardware event, but have a software focus as well. Apple's event kicks of at 10 AM PT. Be sure to check back here for our complete coverage of the event.
Daily Update for October 21, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
GarageBand for iOS to go free, more new iLife and iWork app icons
For a period of about half an hour last night, Apple's Built-in Apps page previewed new iOS 7-inspired icons for the iLife and iWork apps. The icons aren't surprising as a few of them were leaked last week, but this change is: GarageBand will be a free download for all iOS 7-compatible devices: GarageBand is free on the App Store for all iOS 7 compatible devices; additional GarageBand instruments and sounds are available with an in-app purchase. iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are free on the App Store for qualifying iOS 7 compatible devices activated on or after September 1, 2013. As the text notes, the free GarageBand is slightly different than the free iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, as those app require you to purchase a new iOS 7 device. GarageBand will be free on any device -- even old ones -- that can run iOS 7. It will also offer in-app purchases, unlike Apple's other iLife and iWork apps. It's highly likely that the new iWork and iLife apps will become available shortly after Apple's event tomorrow.
Apple offering iTunes credits to eligible iOS users who purchased iWork and iLife apps after September 1
When Apple first introduced the iPhone 5s and 5c on September 12, they concurrently announced that new iOS device owners would be able to download Apple's suite of mobile iWork apps along with most iLife apps for free. Taken together, the free apps would otherwise cost $40. Note that the only app not available for free is GarageBand. All in all, the decision to provide iOS users with grade-A software for free is a smart strategic move that serves to further differentiate the iPhone and iPad from competing products. Apple has employed a similar strategy with its suite of iLife software on the Mac for many years now. So what about users who purchased new iOS devices before September 12? Well Apple has them covered. Apple on Friday began sending out emails to eligible consumers indicating that iOS users who purchased iWork or iLife apps as early as September 1 will be eligible for iTunes credits in the amount they paid. 9to5Mac got its hands on Apple's email, which reads in part: Dear iTunes Customer, On September 10, 2013, Apple announced that iPhoto, iMovie, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers iOS apps are now available as a free download on the App Store for qualifying iOS 7 compatible devices activated on or after September 1, 2013. Our records indicate that you purchased one or more of these apps on or after September 1, 2013 so we have provided you with the iTunes code below in the amount of $5.34. This credit can be used towards the purchase of any content on the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store. Detailed instructions for redeeming the code can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1574. Code: [redacted] Thank you and we hope you enjoy using this credit towards your next purchase on iTunes. Regards, iTunes Customer Support iTunes Support A classy move from Apple.
Daily Update for October 11, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
iWork bug bothering some iPhone 5s owners
Some users with the new iPhone 5s are getting a very Windows-like "blue screen of death." There have been several reports on the Apple support boards talking about it, and even a sample video. It seems the problem arises when using the iWork apps: Pages, Numbers and Keynote. Reports say the problem happens when the Home button gets a double tap to exit an iWork app. The result, in some cases, is a blue screen and then a reboot of the phone. I could not duplicate the problem with any of the iWork apps on my 5s, but it's clear some users are experiencing this frustrating bug. Like any new release, iOS 7 hasn't been trouble-free. Apple is already working on a nasty iMessage bug that prevents texts using the Apple servers from being delivered. It's likely iOS 7 will see an update with some bug fixes shortly. Until then, Apple has inadvertently given you a bit of Windows nostalgia on your iPhone 5s. [via MacWorld]
Apple announces free iWork suite including iMovie and iPhoto for iOS
Apple has announced the latest expansion of their iWork suite, and it's a massive change for users. The suite is now free on all new iOS devices and now includes iMovie and iPhoto. When you upgrade to iOS 7, you will be presented with a screen that lets you download these apps. These features will be included with any new iPad, iPhone or fifth-generation iPod touch. The suite will include iMovie, iPhoto, Pages, Keynote and Numbers.
