AppleInsider Staff
Apple on Tuesday released a series of updates to the iCloud versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, including new iOS and OS X app versions, as the company continues to refine its web-based productivity suite.
On iCloud, all three applications gained new Retina display-ready graphical assets as well as the ability to open files directly from iCloud Mail. Additionally, users can now share documents with a 'view only' security setting.
Pages
Pages received a new document editor design, improved text wrap, and new document templates for iCloud. Users can also edit charts contained in imported documents. The view only option is also available on the iOS and Mac versions.
For iOS, Pagesbrings the following enhancements:
- New "view only" setting lets you share documents you want others to view but not edit
- Search documents by name
- Inline images and shapes in table cells are preserved on import
- Better placement of inserted and pasted objects
- New Arabic and Hebrew templates
- Improved support for bi-directional text
- Word count for Hebrew
- Improved ePub export
- Control the z-order of bubble chart labels
- Usability improvements
Pages for Mac was also updated on Tuesday and adds the following features to those seen above:
- Delete, duplicate and reorder sections using the page navigator
- Copy-paste style improvements
- Improved Instant Alpha image editing
- Media Browser improvements, including search
- Improved AppleScript support
- Create custom data formats
- Show rulers as a percentage of document size
- Improved text box behaviour
- Improved EndNote support, including citations in footnotes
- Improved ePub export
Pages is a free download from the iOS and Mac App Stores for new device owners.
Numbers
Apple's Numbers (iOS, OS X)was was given a fresh coat of paint, with the Excel competitor gaining improved pop-up menu support for more complex spreadsheets.
In addition to the read-only feature introduced in Pages, Numbers for iOS includes:
- Search spreadsheets by name
- Progress indicator for calculations
- Control the z-order of bubble chart labels
- Faster CSV import
- Improved Microsoft Excel compatibility
- Usability improvements
The Mac version includes the same improvements plus the following:
- Set margins in print setup
- Create headers and footers in print setup
- New printing options: page numbering, page ordering and zoom
- Create custom data formats
- Create custom table styles
- Drag and drop a CSV file directly into a sheet
- Automatically update an existing table by dragging in a CSV file
- Cell-based import feedback
- Improved text box behaviour
- Media Browser improvements, including search
- Improved Instant Alpha image editing
- Improved AppleScript support
- Usability improvements
Numbers for iOS and OS X can be downloaded via the appropriate App Stores.
Keynote
Keynote (iOS, OS X) was not left off of the visual tweak train, with the new iCloud version bringing an updated presentation editor design. Like Pages, Keynote users can also edit charts in imported documents.
For iOS:
- Use your finger to illustrate on slides as you present
- New "view only" setting lets you share presentations you want others to view but not edit
- New portrait layout option in presenter display
- Search presentations by name
- New transitions and builds: Object Revolve, Drift and Scale, and Skid
- Control the z-order of bubble chart labels
- Export to PPTX format
- Detailed presentation import feedback
- Improved animation performance
- Improved bi-directional support: switch direction for text, lists and tables
- Usability improvements
The Mac version adds the following:
- Improved Presenter Display layouts and labels
- Improved Magic Move including text morphing
- Apply motion blur to animations
- Show rulers as a percentage of document size
- Improved Instant Alpha image editing
- Media Browser improvements, including search
- Directly specify start and end points of movies
- Create custom data formats
- Export to PPTX format
- Improved AppleScript support
- Support for animated GIFs
- Allow objects on slide to layer with master
- Improved text box behaviour
- Usability improvements
Keynote is available now in the iOS and Mac App Stores.
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Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
58 Comments
Awesome updates. Those people who incessantly bitched about Apple "neutering" iWork should humbly eat their words, considering the pace that Apple is improving the suite- which is already more powerful than the version it replaced.
[quote name="Slurpy" url="/t/176861/apple-updates-iwork-for-ios-os-x-and-icloud-with-enhanced-usability-graphics-tweaks#post_2508151"]Awesome updates. Those people who incessantly bitched about Apple "neutering" iWork should humbly eat their words, considering the pace that Apple is improving the suite- which is already more powerful than the version it replaced.[/quote] And I would imagine for most people (non-enterprise) the free iWork suite will more than meet their needs. Personally I think this is a big FU to everyone who assumed once these programs became free Apple would have no incentive to update them or make them better. One thing I wish Apple would do is treat their stock iOS apps the same way so we could get regular updates/improvements to mail, calendar, notes, weather, etc. outside of major yearly iOS releases (or even .1 releases).
First time I am seeing Center Alignment for Bullet'd lines.
One thing I wish Apple would do is treat their stock iOS apps the same way so we could get regular updates/improvements to mail, calendar, notes, weather, etc. outside of major yearly iOS releases (or even .1 releases).
I agree. For my needs, iWork works well for me and these latest updates are great.
[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/176861/apple-updates-iwork-for-ios-os-x-and-icloud-with-enhanced-usability-graphics-tweaks#post_2508158"] And I would imagine for most people (non-enterprise) the free iWork suite will more than meet their needs. Personally I think this is a big FU to everyone who assumed once these programs became free Apple would have no incentive to update them or make them better. One thing I wish Apple would do is treat their stock iOS apps the same way so we could get regular updates/improvements to mail, calendar, notes, weather, etc. outside of major yearly iOS releases (or even .1 releases).[/quote] Exactly. I'm exercising great restraint by not lighting up the two whine-fest threads on the Apple forums with a huge told-you-so. The FUD spreaders will no doubt deny the whole thing, insisting Apple is trying to screw their customers. Haha