Compare the editing capabilities of iWork iOS/Mac against other versions of "mobile" office apps from Microsoft and others, and I think you'll be forced to agree that Apple currently makes the best mobile suite around.
Maybe he has no contract, maybe he just spews this stuff randomly in some sort of literary equivalent of Tourette syndrome, and posts it here out of the goodness of his heart.
I love that this comes in the middle of some 20 "macrulez" posts, not one of which has any value at all or is worth reading more than a line into.
However, it does leave out some of the downside in terms of Apple's plans and achievements in the area of Office productivity apps.
For instance there is no mention of the fact that the iPad apps are still feature incomplete relative to the desktop versions of iWork, that the feature set of both versions is rather minimal at best, and that Apple has a long history of botching Office productivity apps by basically letting them languish after the initial version.
Pages for instance has hardly changed or evolved at all from the very first desktop version and while it's simpler and better designed than MS Word, it's neither as powerful nor as flexible. The mobile version is not even as good as that. There is still no pagination, no hyphenation and no stylesheet control (even though the entire program is based on stylesheets), in the mobile app and moving a document from the desktop to a mobile device, currently changes the format of the file in ridiculous ways.
I use iWork exclusively and as a writer I use Pages for everything I create both on the desktop and the iPad. I use Pages day in and day out on the iPad and on multiple computers and I'm well aware of what it can (and cannot) do. As far as I can see, Apple has shown little sign that they really care that much about those of us that have switched to their productivity apps. The iWork mobile apps feels very much like "placeholder" apps to me. IMO Apple really needs to step up their game here or they will be steamrollered.
I'm really rooting for Apple to pull it off this time, but it bears saying that even though Apple is currently far ahead of Microsoft on the mobile word processing front, there is still ample time for them to f*ck it up as they have before.
If Microsoft wasn't so colossally stupid, they would already have made iOS versions of Word and Excel, and already no one would rat's behind about iWork at all. The fact that Microsft has that idiot Balmer in charge and has reacted so slowly to the threat has given Apple a golden opportunity, that so far, they have squandered IMO.
Given the sheer volume of people using iOS devices, if they actually had a workable Office competitor on iOS that integrated with a workable competitor to office on the desktop, they might even be able to destroy the Office monopoly because their approach and their basic design is superior and the pressure of so many people using an alternative might get it to catch on. I worry however that they will simply display the hubris they have shown so many times and fail completely at this.
I agree with almost all of this.
I am disappointed with missing features in Pages on the iPad.
Same with performance of Pages on the Mac.
There is, however, a hidden capability of Pages Mac -- that most people don't know exists.
Pages Mac is, by far, the best app for creating free-form collages -- of any size including very large posters. Here are a few examples:
These are small renditions of 16" x 20" posters that can be ordered from CostCo or Kodak for a couple of bucks.
Pages Mac has great capabilities for adjusting image parameters, arranging, resizing, clipping and masking photos -- for example the Star in the first and second collages is a shape mask. You can adjust the size of the mask and the size/location of the image within the mask. You can use Bezier curves to create a mask that outlines a person and separates him from a background.
I own $300 programs that can't do this as easily as Pages Mac at $29.
Just get a bluetooth keyboard ... and it's portable.
Quite a bit less portable if you have to lug a bluetooth keyboard around. Makes you wish they'd attach the keyboard with a hinge that could also hold the screen at a convenient viewing angle...
Ergonomically for data entry, an iPad + a keyboard is worse than a MacBook Air. A track pad is better than a touch screen for repositioning the cursor/selecting text, and it allows your hands to remain in place. Airs are also very quiet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
For occasional typing on the net, the touch keyboard is good enough
Dude, lighten up. I was trying to be kind. Maybe he has no contract, maybe he just spews this stuff randomly in some sort of literary equivalent of Tourette syndrome, and posts it here out of the goodness of his heart.
Perhaps he doesn't even have a job with AI, no job requirements at all. Maybe he just hacks in here to post this random stuff (which explains the absence of proofreading), and the site owners never stop it because it keeps bringing eyeballs in.
Yeah, that's it.
Regarding Dilger: Mac needs its version of John Dvorak I guess.
Want to expereience a real placeholder the vendor doesn't care about? Try Microsoft's Windows version of iMovie. Or try using Office for Mac. Completely ridiculous.
Or AppleWorks, howabout. Once bitten, twice shy, I'm never using another Apple product to create important documents.
Pages Mac has great capabilities for adjusting image parameters, arranging, resizing, clipping and masking photos -- for example the Star in the first and second collages is a shape mask. You can adjust the size of the mask and the size/location of the image within the mask. You can use Bezier curves to create a mask that outlines a person and separates him from a background.
I own $300 programs that can't do this as easily as Pages Mac at $29.
That is good information Dick but a couple questions. I am not that familiar with Pages since I use it infrequently only to open Word docs. How are the export functions for such large posters? When I do posters in Adobe CS, I have lots of compression, bleed, colorspace options which are essential to send something to prepress. How well does Pages handle CMYK pdf export?
One of my beefs with Numbers on the iPad: normally if you put a formula in a cell, you can over-type it if you wish. I have a need for this where I have cells that accept an existing number (in this case, I am counting and identifying light fixtures for retrofit or replacement). I tried to have it where the "proposed" quantity wold pick up the existing, but that I could overtype the formula (=cell-with-existing-qty).
Nope. Can't do it. You can in Excel, and you can in Numbers for OS/X.
Pundits are out of their minds. I see no reason at this moment why anyone would get anything other than an iPad. If they start hammering these things out at $199 they may have a chance, but as it stands, I think people will avoid the MS tablets, and developers will do the same.
I was not referring to their tablets, but their desktop os. Not exactly the point of the article, I know, but i was responding more to those who see MS's downfall in their crystal balls.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Constable Odo
I certainly don't expect Microsoft to fall to it knees, but I still don't see why pundits are assuming that consumers will flock to Windows 8 tablets since currently, consumers are not exactly flocking to Windows Phone 7 which seems to be rather similar in function. What is going to be the big consumer lure to throw away iPads just to get a Windows 8 tablet? I can maybe understand tech-heads or even businesses wanting to pilot Win8 tablets, but consumers, no.
Microsoft is going to have to start from zero developing apps for the Win8 tablet and Apple will already have 100,000+ apps, games and content ready to go. And that's assuming Microsoft can get everything right on the first shot. Any major problems could ruin Microsoft on the tablet front. I believe Windows 8 on the desktop will be fine for users, both consumers and corporations. Honestly, Windows 8 is just too far off to make any calls, good or bad. It needs to get into consumers and businesses hands before any judgment is passed.
Typing on a tablet is horrible. Just horrible. You'd have to be masochistic to do much data entry that way. So who cares if Office is available for touch based platforms. Watch a movie, read a book, play a game, OK. Fill in cells in a spreadsheet? No freakin way.
It may be horrible for you -- because you are used to, and comfortable with, something else.
Last night, my 11-year-old grandson realized that a report was due today. He wipped out his iPad, started Pages, and was done in 1/2 an hour.
He is more comfortable with the iPad than with an iMac... ...something about having fewer choices makes things faster and easier.
He had to AirPrint the report and put it in a cover so he could turn it in...
Now, if his middle school allowed it, he could have given a Keynote preso
However, it does leave out some of the downside in terms of Apple's plans and achievements in the area of Office productivity apps.
For instance there is no mention of the fact that the iPad apps are still feature incomplete relative to the desktop versions of iWork, that the feature set of both versions is rather minimal at best, and that Apple has a long history of botching Office productivity apps by basically letting them languish after the initial version.
Pages for instance has hardly changed or evolved at all from the very first desktop version and while it's simpler and better designed than MS Word, it's neither as powerful nor as flexible. The mobile version is not even as good as that. There is still no pagination, no hyphenation and no stylesheet control (even though the entire program is based on stylesheets), in the mobile app and moving a document from the desktop to a mobile device, currently changes the format of the file in ridiculous ways.
I use iWork exclusively and as a writer I use Pages for everything I create both on the desktop and the iPad. I use Pages day in and day out on the iPad and on multiple computers and I'm well aware of what it can (and cannot) do. As far as I can see, Apple has shown little sign that they really care that much about those of us that have switched to their productivity apps. The iWork mobile apps feels very much like "placeholder" apps to me. IMO Apple really needs to step up their game here or they will be steamrollered.
I'm really rooting for Apple to pull it off this time, but it bears saying that even though Apple is currently far ahead of Microsoft on the mobile word processing front, there is still ample time for them to f*ck it up as they have before.
If Microsoft wasn't so colossally stupid, they would already have made iOS versions of Word and Excel, and already no one would rat's behind about iWork at all. The fact that Microsft has that idiot Balmer in charge and has reacted so slowly to the threat has given Apple a golden opportunity, that so far, they have squandered IMO.
Given the sheer volume of people using iOS devices, if they actually had a workable Office competitor on iOS that integrated with a workable competitor to office on the desktop, they might even be able to destroy the Office monopoly because their approach and their basic design is superior and the pressure of so many people using an alternative might get it to catch on. I worry however that they will simply display the hubris they have shown so many times and fail completely at this.
I agree strongly with your sentiments. I too use Pages every day, even producing large display documents in Pages where I would previously have used Illustrator. I hope that Apple gives the iWork suite top priority.
That is good information Dick but a couple questions. I am not that familiar with Pages since I use it infrequently only to open Word docs. How are the export functions for such large posters? When I do posters in Adobe CS, I have lots of compression, bleed, colorspace options which are essential to send something to prepress. How well does Pages handle CMYK pdf export?
Pages exports a PDF file -- as to the CMYK, I dunno -- give it a try (and report back, please).
I open the Pages exports in Preview where you can save them as almost anything.
As usual, DED brings brilliant insight into the Apple and MSFT markets. The recent Atlantic editorial basically condemning Apple fanboys / Apple fanatics was a grossly misdirected piece. Apple fans have been taking it in the butt from Wintel techtards for years. And now that Apple has overtaken the market in key areas, and seen its Mac business explode, it is only fair to turn the tables for it is only Apple fans that truly understand how much better the Apple universe is after being sold bloated, buggy, counter intuitive and expensive crapware by MSFT for decades. Not to mention MSFT's illegal anti-competitive activities. It is refreshing to know that MSFT has become irrelevant in the mobile space and good riddance!
Although aware that MSFT stabbed IBM in the back by walking away from the joint OS2 project, I was unaware that they had actually encouraged their competitors to develop for the OS2 platform as a priority before hand, thus eliminating them as competitors. Once again making this company is an easy one to hate.
Comments
shouldn't this say:
...makes more than 10 times...
No, look at the last quarter where Office has 100 x the profits of the Entertainment division.
Compare the editing capabilities of iWork iOS/Mac against other versions of "mobile" office apps from Microsoft and others, and I think you'll be forced to agree that Apple currently makes the best mobile suite around.
And you included Office 365 in your analysis?
Maybe he has no contract, maybe he just spews this stuff randomly in some sort of literary equivalent of Tourette syndrome, and posts it here out of the goodness of his heart.
I love that this comes in the middle of some 20 "macrulez" posts, not one of which has any value at all or is worth reading more than a line into.
Steve Jobs says you're a liar. Tablets will replace computers. This is the post-PC world. Think different.
(I wonder how many tablet reviews were written on one....)
lulz
If so I would guess that they have disabled iPad's spelling auto correct. With it turned on you would be fired within days if not hours.
Good analysis.
However, it does leave out some of the downside in terms of Apple's plans and achievements in the area of Office productivity apps.
For instance there is no mention of the fact that the iPad apps are still feature incomplete relative to the desktop versions of iWork, that the feature set of both versions is rather minimal at best, and that Apple has a long history of botching Office productivity apps by basically letting them languish after the initial version.
Pages for instance has hardly changed or evolved at all from the very first desktop version and while it's simpler and better designed than MS Word, it's neither as powerful nor as flexible. The mobile version is not even as good as that. There is still no pagination, no hyphenation and no stylesheet control (even though the entire program is based on stylesheets), in the mobile app and moving a document from the desktop to a mobile device, currently changes the format of the file in ridiculous ways.
I use iWork exclusively and as a writer I use Pages for everything I create both on the desktop and the iPad. I use Pages day in and day out on the iPad and on multiple computers and I'm well aware of what it can (and cannot) do. As far as I can see, Apple has shown little sign that they really care that much about those of us that have switched to their productivity apps. The iWork mobile apps feels very much like "placeholder" apps to me. IMO Apple really needs to step up their game here or they will be steamrollered.
I'm really rooting for Apple to pull it off this time, but it bears saying that even though Apple is currently far ahead of Microsoft on the mobile word processing front, there is still ample time for them to f*ck it up as they have before.
If Microsoft wasn't so colossally stupid, they would already have made iOS versions of Word and Excel, and already no one would rat's behind about iWork at all. The fact that Microsft has that idiot Balmer in charge and has reacted so slowly to the threat has given Apple a golden opportunity, that so far, they have squandered IMO.
Given the sheer volume of people using iOS devices, if they actually had a workable Office competitor on iOS that integrated with a workable competitor to office on the desktop, they might even be able to destroy the Office monopoly because their approach and their basic design is superior and the pressure of so many people using an alternative might get it to catch on. I worry however that they will simply display the hubris they have shown so many times and fail completely at this.
I agree with almost all of this.
I am disappointed with missing features in Pages on the iPad.
Same with performance of Pages on the Mac.
There is, however, a hidden capability of Pages Mac -- that most people don't know exists.
Pages Mac is, by far, the best app for creating free-form collages -- of any size including very large posters. Here are a few examples:
These are small renditions of 16" x 20" posters that can be ordered from CostCo or Kodak for a couple of bucks.
Pages Mac has great capabilities for adjusting image parameters, arranging, resizing, clipping and masking photos -- for example the Star in the first and second collages is a shape mask. You can adjust the size of the mask and the size/location of the image within the mask. You can use Bezier curves to create a mask that outlines a person and separates him from a background.
I own $300 programs that can't do this as easily as Pages Mac at $29.
Just get a bluetooth keyboard ... and it's portable.
Quite a bit less portable if you have to lug a bluetooth keyboard around. Makes you wish they'd attach the keyboard with a hinge that could also hold the screen at a convenient viewing angle...
Ergonomically for data entry, an iPad + a keyboard is worse than a MacBook Air. A track pad is better than a touch screen for repositioning the cursor/selecting text, and it allows your hands to remain in place. Airs are also very quiet.
For occasional typing on the net, the touch keyboard is good enough
Maybe, but we're talking about MS Office here.
Dude, lighten up. I was trying to be kind. Maybe he has no contract, maybe he just spews this stuff randomly in some sort of literary equivalent of Tourette syndrome, and posts it here out of the goodness of his heart.
Perhaps he doesn't even have a job with AI, no job requirements at all. Maybe he just hacks in here to post this random stuff (which explains the absence of proofreading), and the site owners never stop it because it keeps bringing eyeballs in.
Yeah, that's it.
Regarding Dilger: Mac needs its version of John Dvorak I guess.
On second thought, no, it doesn't!
Want to expereience a real placeholder the vendor doesn't care about? Try Microsoft's Windows version of iMovie. Or try using Office for Mac. Completely ridiculous.
Or AppleWorks, howabout. Once bitten, twice shy, I'm never using another Apple product to create important documents.
Pages Mac has great capabilities for adjusting image parameters, arranging, resizing, clipping and masking photos -- for example the Star in the first and second collages is a shape mask. You can adjust the size of the mask and the size/location of the image within the mask. You can use Bezier curves to create a mask that outlines a person and separates him from a background.
I own $300 programs that can't do this as easily as Pages Mac at $29.
That is good information Dick but a couple questions. I am not that familiar with Pages since I use it infrequently only to open Word docs. How are the export functions for such large posters? When I do posters in Adobe CS, I have lots of compression, bleed, colorspace options which are essential to send something to prepress. How well does Pages handle CMYK pdf export?
Dude, lighten up. .... blah blah
Thanks for clearing that up. I'm sure everyone here was wondering if that was a direct quote or not..... blah blah
Well, if it looks like a mouse and it acts like a mouse....
Petard, meet hoist.
See post #29
Now we're beginning to get somewhere.......
Nope. Can't do it. You can in Excel, and you can in Numbers for OS/X.
I hope they address this in the next release.
I was not referring to their tablets, but their desktop os. Not exactly the point of the article, I know, but i was responding more to those who see MS's downfall in their crystal balls.
I certainly don't expect Microsoft to fall to it knees, but I still don't see why pundits are assuming that consumers will flock to Windows 8 tablets since currently, consumers are not exactly flocking to Windows Phone 7 which seems to be rather similar in function. What is going to be the big consumer lure to throw away iPads just to get a Windows 8 tablet? I can maybe understand tech-heads or even businesses wanting to pilot Win8 tablets, but consumers, no.
Microsoft is going to have to start from zero developing apps for the Win8 tablet and Apple will already have 100,000+ apps, games and content ready to go. And that's assuming Microsoft can get everything right on the first shot. Any major problems could ruin Microsoft on the tablet front. I believe Windows 8 on the desktop will be fine for users, both consumers and corporations. Honestly, Windows 8 is just too far off to make any calls, good or bad. It needs to get into consumers and businesses hands before any judgment is passed.
Typing on a tablet is horrible. Just horrible. You'd have to be masochistic to do much data entry that way. So who cares if Office is available for touch based platforms. Watch a movie, read a book, play a game, OK. Fill in cells in a spreadsheet? No freakin way.
It may be horrible for you -- because you are used to, and comfortable with, something else.
Last night, my 11-year-old grandson realized that a report was due today. He wipped out his iPad, started Pages, and was done in 1/2 an hour.
He is more comfortable with the iPad than with an iMac... ...something about having fewer choices makes things faster and easier.
He had to AirPrint the report and put it in a cover so he could turn it in...
Now, if his middle school allowed it, he could have given a Keynote preso
Good analysis.
However, it does leave out some of the downside in terms of Apple's plans and achievements in the area of Office productivity apps.
For instance there is no mention of the fact that the iPad apps are still feature incomplete relative to the desktop versions of iWork, that the feature set of both versions is rather minimal at best, and that Apple has a long history of botching Office productivity apps by basically letting them languish after the initial version.
Pages for instance has hardly changed or evolved at all from the very first desktop version and while it's simpler and better designed than MS Word, it's neither as powerful nor as flexible. The mobile version is not even as good as that. There is still no pagination, no hyphenation and no stylesheet control (even though the entire program is based on stylesheets), in the mobile app and moving a document from the desktop to a mobile device, currently changes the format of the file in ridiculous ways.
I use iWork exclusively and as a writer I use Pages for everything I create both on the desktop and the iPad. I use Pages day in and day out on the iPad and on multiple computers and I'm well aware of what it can (and cannot) do. As far as I can see, Apple has shown little sign that they really care that much about those of us that have switched to their productivity apps. The iWork mobile apps feels very much like "placeholder" apps to me. IMO Apple really needs to step up their game here or they will be steamrollered.
I'm really rooting for Apple to pull it off this time, but it bears saying that even though Apple is currently far ahead of Microsoft on the mobile word processing front, there is still ample time for them to f*ck it up as they have before.
If Microsoft wasn't so colossally stupid, they would already have made iOS versions of Word and Excel, and already no one would rat's behind about iWork at all. The fact that Microsft has that idiot Balmer in charge and has reacted so slowly to the threat has given Apple a golden opportunity, that so far, they have squandered IMO.
Given the sheer volume of people using iOS devices, if they actually had a workable Office competitor on iOS that integrated with a workable competitor to office on the desktop, they might even be able to destroy the Office monopoly because their approach and their basic design is superior and the pressure of so many people using an alternative might get it to catch on. I worry however that they will simply display the hubris they have shown so many times and fail completely at this.
I agree strongly with your sentiments. I too use Pages every day, even producing large display documents in Pages where I would previously have used Illustrator. I hope that Apple gives the iWork suite top priority.
How about this for a news story idea...
Why did AAPL pop 2.5% today when the broader markets fell almost 1%??
Rumors about the iPhone.
Likely, China, iPhone, Android difficulties and the fact that MS Windows 8 is a "no show" as competition for the iPad -- for at least a year, if ever.
There's an old "sales" postulate -- "You can only sell what you have in the wagon".
There is a buyers' corollary -- "You can only buy what the salesman has in the wagon".
It may be horrible for you -- because you are used to, and comfortable with, something else.
Last night, my 11-year-old grandson realized that a report was due today. He wipped out his iPad, started Pages, and was done in 1/2 an hour.
He is more comfortable with the iPad than with an iMac... ...something about having fewer choices makes things faster and easier.
He had to AirPrint the report and put it in a cover so he could turn it in...
Now, if his middle school allowed it, he could have given a Keynote preso
And how many words a minute does our 11 year old put out on the keyboard of choice? If he hunts and pecks on both, of course it's the same.
That is good information Dick but a couple questions. I am not that familiar with Pages since I use it infrequently only to open Word docs. How are the export functions for such large posters? When I do posters in Adobe CS, I have lots of compression, bleed, colorspace options which are essential to send something to prepress. How well does Pages handle CMYK pdf export?
Pages exports a PDF file -- as to the CMYK, I dunno -- give it a try (and report back, please).
I open the Pages exports in Preview where you can save them as almost anything.
Although aware that MSFT stabbed IBM in the back by walking away from the joint OS2 project, I was unaware that they had actually encouraged their competitors to develop for the OS2 platform as a priority before hand, thus eliminating them as competitors. Once again making this company is an easy one to hate.
And how many words a minute does our 11 year old put out on the keyboard of choice? If he hunts and pecks on both, of course it's the same.
It gets the job done... Isn't that really what it's all about?
I suspect, if he takes typing class, he will be equally proficient on a physical and virtual kb -- why not, he has nothing to unlearn!
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
its Office group makes more than 100 times the profits of its entire Entertainment and Devices Division.
shouldn't this say:
...makes more than 10 times...
The reality is that the entertainment division has LOST BILLIONS of dollars and is only now trying to make up ground.