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Using iWork as an image editor
I recently noted the image-editing functionality of Preview.app, which can act as a "good enough" image editor for many that don't have access to Photoshop. While it's difficult to argue with the free price tag, Preview is not without its limitations. Fortunately, many of these limitations are unlocked if you happen to own Apple's iWork suite, which in its own right can serve as an image editor for the budget-minded.Read on to see how to use iWork in this unconventional way.
Some Macbook Pros are updated along with iWork '09
Apple pushed out a couple of software updates late this afternoon. One is for regulating the fan speed under heavy loads on older MacBook Pro laptops.The other is a more general 42.7 MB update for iWork '09. This is the second software revision for the word processing, spreadsheet and presentation package. The update says it improves reliability when saving some iWork documents. It also fixes some issues when Keynote sessions are played back multiple times.Update: Users of Apple's pro video editing, photo and audio apps will also see the ProKit Update v4.5, which "improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and Logic Express."Your software update option under the Apple menu should get you one or all updates. The MacBook Pro update is a firmware update, and it will start up automatically after a download. If you don't see this update, your laptop doesn't require it.Here are the included update instructions:To update the SMC firmware on your MacBook Pro:Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source.1. Quit all other open applications.2. Click Restart in the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update window and wait for your computer to restart.The SMC firmware update starts automatically. A status bar indicates the progress of the update. During the update your computer fans will run at full speed, but will return to normal once the update completes.Important: Do not interrupt the update.Your computer restarts automatically when the update is completed and opens the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update.3. Click OK. The SMC firmware is now up-to-date.If these instructions appear on your screen again, the SMC firmware update was not successful. Repeat steps 2 and 3.Thanks to Matt for the MacBook Pro tip!
Pirated iWork contains botnet trojan, breaks hearts
The tubes are ablaze today with news from CNN of the first ever latest malicious program to be found on the Mac. The trojan was first discovered in January but it did not receive wildfire-like popularity until recently when two experts at Symantec published a bulletin on the subject of the malware.The trojan, named "iBotnet" (get it?), has only affected a few thousand Macs in the wild and it is currently not known to do any real harm. Should you be concerned? Well, the answer to that depends on whether you're a software pirate or not. The distribution method for this particular piece of malware is through the downloading of certain bootlegged copies of Apple's iWork.Brian Krebs over at the Washington Post details some information about the actual first botnet specifically for the Mac. He points out that the current media storm is for a trojan that was actually discovered in January. He goes on to mention that the first botnet for the Mac was actually released in 2006 and targeted both Macs and PCs alike.In other news, sales of Symantec's Norton AntiVirus shot up following the release of the security bulletin and subsequent frenzy of coverage. Actually, this is not true (at least to this humble blogger's knowledge); but it does pose an interesting question. Who profits most from the release of malware on any platform? One thing we know for sure, though, is that the end-user is definitely losing out in this game.The moral of this story: stop all the downloading! Thanks G.I. Joe! In all seriousness, though, the majority of malware on the Mac (and on the PC) is distributed through nefarious chains of content acquisition. Be careful out there when clicking links and downloading files or programs from sites that you may not trust.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
iApp updates ready for download
Earlier today, Apple released updates for iWork '09, iWeb, iMovie, iPhoto and iLife Support. As usual, the cryptic descriptions of each disclose very little about their contents. Along with the usual "...overall application stability improvements," the iWeb update fixes FTP issues (what those are we don't know) and iPhoto fixes issues with Faces, Places, photo sharing, and slideshows.You can grab them now via Software Update. They range in size from 1.4MB (iLife Support) to 88.8MB (iPhoto Update). A restart will be required. As usual, let us know if anything goes wonky after installation.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Spiffy animated charts with Keynote
Ivan at the great Creative Bits has posted a nice tutorial on creating animated charts in Keynote. It's a simple process really, making use of the build feature of the Inspector. You've got to love Keynote. Even a person who dislikes slide shows (like me) can enjoy putting one together. If you're after more powerful chart and graph options in Keynote, check out Chart Gallery. For even more Keynote fun, you can't miss Keynote User or our own first look at Keynote '09.
Apple offers up iWork update, fixes issues
Tonight, Apple sent out an update for the previous generation of iWork ('08). You can find all of the details on the Apple Support Downloads site, or below. Keynote update 4.0.4 (Link) This update addresses compatibility issues with Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2008 as well as general compatibility issues. Pages update 3.0.3 (Link) This update addresses general compatibility issues. Numbers update 1.0.3 (Link) This update addresses general compatibility issues. You can download these updates by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by getting the individual package installers from the Apple Support Downloads website.
iWork '09 trojan infects at least 20,000 machines?
Quite a number of no-goodniks who thought they'd save a few bucks by downloading a pirated version of iWork '09 have gotten more than they'd bargained for -- in the form of a Trojan Horse called OSX.Trojan.iServices.A. This guy installs itself in the computer's startup as root, and once in place it can connect to a remote server and broadcast its location, allowing malicious users to take charge of the machine remotely. And since it has root access to the OS, the trojan can not only install additional components but can also modify existing apps, making this thing extremely difficult to remove. According to a white paper released by Intego, at least 20,000 people may have downloaded the infected software -- which they'll get around to installing as soon as they finish those episodes of Celebrity Rehab they grabbed at the same time.[Via Macworld]
No more serial numbers in iWork retail boxes
Customers who buy iWork '09 retail boxes may be surprised by what they don't find inside. Namely, a registration code. Apple has stopped shipping iWork with a registration code starting with version '09. "Install iWork '09 from the enclosed disc and you're ready to go," says Apple.Of course, those using the downloaded trial version will have to enter a serial number if they want to activate their trial version. While iWork has traditionally required users to enter a registration code, iLife has not. Some have implied that this is a tacit invitation to piracy -- install our software on random machines, get hooked then pay for an upgrade, but we're unconvinced. Also, we have no indication (as of this writing, at least) that the iWork apps don't phone home to verify that they're validly installed.[Via Ars]
TUAW Macworld Video: Her first Expo won't be her last
This is Julie Rodriguez's first Macworld Expo, but it won't be her last. Coming all the way from Fargo, North Dakota, she stopped and talked with us briefly at Moscone's south hall, and told us about what she saw, what she liked, and why she'll be back next year. "Some [companies] I've never heard of before, so that's actually why I was here: to find these people I just can't find otherwise," she said. "I'm here to find these little vendors that I don't hear of elsewhere, and get a chance to get some hands-on with the products." In appreciation, TUAW gave Julie a brand-spankin'-new TUAW t-shirt. Thanks, Julie!
Non-Apple iPhone Keynote controllers
One of the coolest features of the just announced Keynote '09 is the corresponding $0.99 iPhone / iPod touch controller application (iTunes link) which allows you to advance slides, see your notes, and even see your next slide on your mobile device's screen so long as it's connected to the same wifi network. Once I had a look at it, however, I was surprised to discover that there were already several similar applications available in the iTunes store which work with Keynote '08 and even have quite a few more functions.I haven't had a chance to test them all, but there are at least four applications out there including (all iTunes links): Pointer Remote (which also works with PowerPoint) ($0.99), jfControl ($3.99), AirMote ($4.99), and Stage Hand ($7.99). Three of the four require installing a small helper app on your Mac which then interfaces with the iPhone app (AirMote is the exception since it uses the Mac's built-in VNC protocols). Of these, Stage Hand seems to have the most features, including some nifty ones like advancing directly to a particular slide, on-device timers, a highlighter, and a blackout/whiteout function. (Stage Hand presently has limited Keynote '09 compatibility, but they say they're working on it.)Let us know in the comments what your favorite iPhone / iPod touch based Keynote remote control is.
Buy Leopard, iWork '09, iLife '09 via the Mac Box Set
As mentioned in this morning's keynote, the Mac Box Set lets you purchase Mac OS 10.5.6, iLife '09 and iWork '09 in one tidy package for $169US. Additionally, shoppers can install the Mac Box Set Family Pack on up to five Mac computers in in the same household for $229US. Call us crazy, but we don't remember seeing such a bundle from Apple before.Before you pull out your credit card, know that this won't ship until iLife '09 ships, which Phil identified as "Late January." However, TUAW reader Lou purchased iLife '09 online today, and his receipt listed "February '09" as the ship date. So, we'll see.If you happen to visit a store near a store in a major city today, have a look around or ask an employee if January is likely for this product. Let us know what you find. Thanks![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
As expected, Apple releases iWork '09 at Macworld Expo
During today's Macworld Keynote Phil Schiller announced the immediate release of iWork '09. We previously reported this was fairly likely given the slip-up over at Apple.com. The updated version of iWork is definitely more evolutionary than revolutionary.KeynoteThe first new feature of Keynote are the "Magic Move" transitions. Essentially, you set up your slides and Keynote automatically animates your objects and moves them from slide-to-slide. Additional text and object transitions have been added as well. For example, the text from one slide can morph into the text on the following slide.The Theme Chooser has been updated as well. It now allows you to easily and quickly view and apply a theme as well. The Theme Chooser also makes it easy to quickly apply a particular slide size. The 3D charts and graphs have been updated as well to include additional textures and new animations. The killer new feature in Keynote is the introduction of the Keynote Remote application for the iPhone or iPod touch. Using Wi-Fi you can view your slide as well as notes on the slide wirelessly from your iPhone or iPod touch. If you rotate your device into a landscape orientation you can view the current slide as well as the next slide. In true touchscreen form you can swipe your finger across the screen to advance to the next slide.Click the read link for more information about iWork '09.For full Macworld Expo coverage, bookmark the TUAW Macworld Expo 2009 landing page. If you missed our liveblog coverage, you can review it here.
Apple announces iWork.com beta
Well, it looks like Apple is competing with Google in more ways than one, with the company today announcing a beta version of the Google Docs-like iWork.com. The web-based app will apparently be tightly integrated with the OS-bound iWork app, and let you easily share documents with contacts who can add notes and make edits, again, much like Google Docs, albeit in an environment that closely resembles the standard iWork apps. What's more, while the beta will be free to those interested in trying it out, the final product will eventually be a pay service, though there's no word on a price just yet.
Apple to take iWork '09 online?
With just under a week left before Macworld 2009, the rumor mill is turning out many rumors. One new rumor, proposed by 9to5 Mac, suggests that Apple may be taking their iWork suite of software online. iWork is Apple's answer to an office suite, and combines a word processor (Pages), presentation software (Keynote), and spreadsheet app (Numbers). Just as Apple took mail, calendars, and contacts online with MobileMe, 9to5 believes they might do the same with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Apple definitely wouldn't be the first company to take office applications into the "cloud," but they might be the first to make web apps that tie into MobileMe. Google Docs (formerly Writely), Zoho Office, and Microsoft are just a few of the companies currently offering web-based solutions for office products. [via MacRumors]%Poll-24549%
iLife and iWork '09 announcements on 10/14?
A TUAW tipster pointed us to a unsubstantiated, but intriguing post on Mac Soda noting that iLife and iWork '09 could be announced at the October 14th notebook event. The current versions of iLife and iWork were announced on August 7, 2007 at the same event where the aluminum iMacs debuted, and previous iLife/iWork introductions have also been touted as "one more thing" at hardware-oriented product announcements.The post doesn't provide any details of enhancements for the applications. In terms of speculating about what could change, iMovie could use some major enhancements to usability after last year's complete rewrite, and iWeb could benefit from better capabilities for publishing to non-MobileMe servers and iPhone-specific templates. The Numbers spreadsheet package could use a lot of new functionality, including macros, while Pages needs new templates.TUAW readers -- what would you like to see in an iLife or iWork update? Leave a comment.Thanks to Johannes for the link
Free Stuff: Keynote Objects
iPresentee, a small company providing themes and objects for Apple's iLife and iWeb software suites, is offering a free download of Keynote Objects. Keynote Objects is a package of 100 attractive icon-like objects that can be used not only with Keynote, but also with Microsoft PowerPoint and Word. All of the objects have a transparent background, and are easily resized, rotated, made more or less transparent, or shadowed.I'm actually going to use several of the objects as icons for a new web site that I'm designing, simply because they offer an attractive and cohesive set of art objects. What will you use your free Keynote Objects for?
TUAW Tip: How to disable automatic hyperlinks in Pages '08
Do you find it annoying when you go to type in an e-mail address or hyperlink into Pages and it automatically thinks you want the text turned into a hyperlink? Well, you can easily change this setting in the preferences. Just open Page's Preferences (Pages > Preferences, or use command + , (comma) to open preferences). Once there, select the "Auto-Correction" tab and un-check the box labeled "Automatically detect email and web addresses." Now when you start typing a link or e-mail address inside of Pages it will appear as text. [via New Mac User]
Apple iWork for Business online seminar
Apple has posted a online seminar on using iWork '08 in a business environment. Presented together with Rebecca Breitenkamp, the CFO of a biotech company that uses iWork internally, the half-hour video goes over some of the basic ways that Pages, Numbers, and Keynote can be used in a corporate setting. It not really a step-by-step tutorial, but more of a series of examples of how well iWork functions on what many folks think of as Microsoft Office's turf.To watch the video you will need need to complete a free registration.[via MacVolPlace]
Keynote 4.0.3 update
Today, Apple posted an update to the Keynote presentation app (part of iWork '08). This update, version 4.0.3, says that it "addresses performance and stability issues when working with large documents."You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple support downloads site.Please note: Users must have Keynote 4.0.2 installed on their computer to install this update.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
KeynotePro releases new "Ohm" Keynote theme
We've written about KeynotePro before. They make very nice themes for Keynote that you'll be happy to use for your presentation. This week, they've updated the "Ohm" theme for Keynote '08. It's been completely rebuilt to use shapes and placeholders native to Keynote '08, contains up to 58 master slides (the Pro version) and two palettes.The Pro version includes 16:9 and 16:10 aspect-optimized versions, and the new OM '08 EP Edition is optimized for the iPod and iPhone. They look just as great on those tiny displays as they do when connected to a projector via video out.Both versions require Keynote 4.0 or higher, and the Gill Sans and Helvetica Neue font faces. A single license will cost you $24.95US, though discounts are available for bundle orders and those who purchased earlier versions of the theme.[Via MacMinute]
