Last week, we mentioned a report by ThinkSecret that stated that Apple will launch a new “iWork ’05” productivity suite at Macworld Expo San Fransicso. The software is said to “include Keynote 2 as well as a new application, Pages,” Ryan Katz reported for ThinkSecret.com. “iWork ’05 will require a 500MHz system and Mac OS X 10.3.6 , sources say. Additionally, the software will require a serial number. It’s unclear whether the new iLife ’05 will also require a serial number–previous versions have not. Also unknown is where iWork ’05 pricing will fall. It’s unclear whether Pages will simply encompass a word processing application or whether Apple will wrap spreadsheet functionality into it as well.”
“What is almost certain, however, is that iWork will come bundled with most, if not all, of Apple’s new systems, including the new $500 headless iMac. Such a move will enable Apple to market the affordable system as being ready-to-go out of the box with all the software most needed by users, including PC switchers,” Katz reported. Full article here.
In the MacDailyNews Reader Feedback to the original article, MDN reader “Solar Flare” remarked that, “There is already a company producing ‘iWork’: http://www.iggsoftware.com/iwork/ Looks like Apple will have to call it something else if it is gonna happen.”
Today, MDN Reader “macnut222” reports that IGG Software’s ‘iWork’ has been recently (as in today) changed to ‘iBiz’ – http://www.iggsoftware.com/ibiz/ (The web page states: “iBiz: formerly IGG Software’s ‘iWork'”)
MacDailyNews Take: A very interesting development.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
RUMOR: Apple to debut ‘iWork ’05’ productivity suite at Macworld Expo – January 01, 2005
Hmmmmm, looks like iWork it is.
By the way, unless I am mistaken, isn’t this kind of a scoop for MDN? Good work Macnut222 and solar flare.
Interesting….
I’m a genius. I guessed that name a long time ago.
First post.
Looks like a done deal!
What will Microsoft think?
Cool!!!
Oops. Fourth post actually. Damn my slow typing skills.
Who cares what MS thinks. I know Office is important for the platform, but it didn’t seem to bother them too much when Keynote came out two years ago.
I thought the whole “headless iMac” was a rumor. People are talking like that is a done deal as well. Anyone know for sure?
If this turns out to be real it could be very big. The big question: what is under the hood? Open Office, original code, a revision to AppleWorks or some third party app now pulled from the market.
sorry, folks..but this iWork suite is a bum call..
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
I am 100% positive bout this..as for the ‘headless’ Mac…last I checked, 85% rumor only! being a Mac PowerUser and in the know, keep your dreams simple, not as flashy..
very interesting
Serious post…
Ok, I don’t think the other application will be called Pages. It is vague and generic and does not convey any information on its purpose. TEST: Clear your mind and think of nothing… now think of the word “Pages”. Vague, right? I’m sure Apple has a good marketing team and they’ll come up with something more relevant. I think people should post their guesses at what the document application’s name should be. My choice: Folio
Someone on the MacRumors forums though up the word ‘Thesis’ rather than ‘Pages’. It seemed to go over pretty well.
What do you guys think about it?
wow i can only hope this real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope Apple introduces iWork. The only time my iBook crashes is when I use Microslop Orifice.
If a Office replacement and iPhone is true, then all my imaginable dreams have come true. Waiting now is the tough part. The headless iMac speculation was even on Headline News…hope it is true or there are going to be alot of problems.
Edge,
Pages works for me, especially if it encompasses OpenDoc components. Maybe there is a “page”, which contains word processing elements, graphics and spreadsheet functions, not separate applications that work together.
::falling on my knees::: Those gerbil sacrifices DO work. I feel weepy.
And in other news, their new computers will live up to their reputation, and will now be named “iWant”.
Looks like Apple has recently filed (August 5, 2004) for trademark on iWork too:
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=5s6cq4.2.3
But who knows.
Citizen X: “Pages works for me, especially if it encompasses OpenDoc components. Maybe there is a “page”, which contains word processing elements, graphics and spreadsheet functions, not separate applications that work together.”
Most likely the apps will be separated for retail reasons. Expect to see a bundled package and stand alones (lowers cost of entry for some). I predict the bundle will be availabe on new systems at a discounted price (not free). People who already own MS Office will get a discount as well.
Although there is a lot of speculation out there about “iWork” being a ported version of OpenOffice… I highly doubt it. The GPL on OpenOffice requires that people make modified versions available for free. I am most certain that “iWork” is based on the ClarisWorks suite. Last time I checked, Keynote was written in-house.
If this is true, I worry about what it means for the excellent but in-need-of-consumer-suport Nisus Writer Express. It’s an able Word replacement in beautiful Cocoa without the bloat of OOo etc. I’d love to see what Apple can do in this arena, was wishing for iWork a couple years ago; but I think my loyalty will remain with Nisus, they really deserve it.
Knowing Apples ingenuity, I’d have to say that if they come out with an office app. it will change the way we look at documents. It will be different then a separate spreadsheet app, a page layout app, and a word app, but rather a complete document application. Pages might be one application that can do all these things together. Perhaps integrate with Filemaker for interactive documents, web pages and application interfaces.