Apple Updates iWork With ‘06 Version

January 9th, 2006 at 2:00 PM - Macworld Expo by Brad Cook

SAN FRANCISCO -- In addition to iLife, Appleis iWork productivity suite, which includes the presentation software Keynote and the word processing/page layout application Pages, received an i06 upgrade during CEO Steve Jobsi keynote. Both Keynote 3 and Pages 2 can take advantage of such new features as 3D charts, iPhoto-like image editing and masking tools and spreadsheet-like tables.

While not as full-featured as Microsoft Excel, the tables function enables users to add, multiple or average numbers in rows or columns and insert the results in a Keynote or Pages document. Those spreadsheets can also be turned into 3D charts with wood grain, metal or marble textures, complete with the ability to control the viewing angle.

The image editing tools include freeform shapes and curves, while iWork i06 also enables users to include comments in slides and documents without affecting their layout. Pages 2 offers mail merge with Address Book, as well as two dozen new templates and new thumbnail and search views.

A new template in Pages 2

Features new to Keynote 3 include cinematic transitions, such as vertical or horizontal blinds and a revolving door, a Light Table view mode for looking at an entire presentation and reorganizing slides and flexible build animations with more control over bullet lists, tables and charts.

A wood-grain 3D chart in Keynote 3

iWork i06 sells for US$79 and requires a G4, G5 or Intel Core processor, 256MB RAM (512MB recommended), 32MB of Video RAM, QuickTime 7.0.3 and a DVD drive.