AppleInsider Staff
In a slew of software releases on Thursday, Apple introduced new versions of its iWork apps for both Mac and iOS, while the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule received a firmware update to fix reported issues.
The latest versions of Keynote, Pages and Numbers all received bug fixes and performance improvements, with the Mac iterations of each gaining new features. As promised by Apple earlier this month, some features nixed from the revamped builds have started to return after consumers voiced concerns over their seeming deprecation.
When Apple revealed the new iWork suite in October, the company announced it would be making the software free with new device purchases.
Keynote
Apple's presentation app Keynote received the most new content, with both the iOS and OS X versions getting new transitions and builds.
Each app features the following improvements:
- New transitions including Blinds, Color Planes, Confetti, Fall, Perspective, Pivot, and Swoosh
- New builds including Blinds, Fly in, Fly out, Orbital, Pivot, Scale Big, and Swoosh
In addition, the Mac app update brings back a customizable toolbar, a much requested feature since the latest Keynote launched in October.
Keynote for Mac is a 444MB download and can be purchased for $19.99 through the Mac App Store. The iOS version comes in at 463MB and costs $9.99.
Pages
Pages also received the standard bug fixes and stability improvements, but the Mac version also brought back a customizable toolbar. Also returned are center and edge guides, which are now turned on by default.
The iOS app keeps its feature set intact, but also benefits from the aforementioned bug fixes.
Pages for Mac weighs in at 290MB and can be downloaded for $19.99 from the Mac App Store, while the iOS iteration is 266MB and costs $9.99.
Numbers
Like Pages, Apple's spreadsheet software Numbers get the bug fix treatment and, for the Mac version, a return of customizable toolbar. The Mac iteration also adds windows size and placement preservation for saved files and a new setting for zoom defaults.
Numbers for Mac is a 190MB download, while the iOS version is 234MB. Prices are $19.99 and $9.99, respectively.
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49 Comments
Nice! Keep 'em coming Apple...
Good to see they're moving fast on getting some of the functionality back in these apps (and yes, I know the old versions are still available on the desktop).
Wow, that was fast.
It begins. By this time 2014, Office won’t be such a “clear cut” choice for “real business use” (we all know what that means).
I also take it that since this update has gone out for both OS X and iOS that the iCloud versions of these three applications will have the same changes, yes? Because… because what was the POINT of this whole endeavor otherwise?!
I get the sense that Apple is adopting (somewhat) the open source concept of "release early release often". With the apps now free their is no need to work years on huge feature sets to justify the upgrade cost. Effectively they are free to trickle out improvements when they are ready. Interestingly this is the way many apps are supported on App Store these days. I haven't had a week go by without an app update and I don't have a lot of apps installed. [quote name="SpamSandwich" url="/t/160845/apple-brings-customizable-toolbars-back-to-iwork-suite-for-mac-updates-ios-app-versions/0_40#post_2438608"]Good to see they're moving fast on getting some of the functionality back in these apps (and yes, I know the old versions are still available on the desktop).[/quote]