iWork off to a respectable start
According to this article, Apple's iWork is now the #2 "office suite" next to (of course) Microsoft Office: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9593_22-6030011.html
Specifically, Apple garnered 2.7 percent unit share.
Counting only the Mac platform sales, "iWork accounted for 17.4 percent, compared to about 82 percent for Microsoft"
Also:
All this without a spreadsheet!
With this early success, it is hard to imagine Apple not doing a spreadsheet (Cells? Numbers?) eventually. I am only disappointed they didn't do it in iWork '06 (I could have finally dumped AppleWorks).
I think Apple is taking things carefully and slowly on this. I suspect that they are getting the behind the scenes stuff working and then then continue to update and upgrade iWork growing it to where they really want it to be.
Specifically, Apple garnered 2.7 percent unit share.
Counting only the Mac platform sales, "iWork accounted for 17.4 percent, compared to about 82 percent for Microsoft"
Also:
Quote:
There had been reports, apparently incorrect, on some Apple enthusiast sites that sales of the initial iWork software had lagged.
"One rumor that can be put to rest is that iWork wasn't selling well," Swenson said.
There had been reports, apparently incorrect, on some Apple enthusiast sites that sales of the initial iWork software had lagged.
"One rumor that can be put to rest is that iWork wasn't selling well," Swenson said.
All this without a spreadsheet!
With this early success, it is hard to imagine Apple not doing a spreadsheet (Cells? Numbers?) eventually. I am only disappointed they didn't do it in iWork '06 (I could have finally dumped AppleWorks).
I think Apple is taking things carefully and slowly on this. I suspect that they are getting the behind the scenes stuff working and then then continue to update and upgrade iWork growing it to where they really want it to be.
Comments
I don't have a Mac yet but I've played with iWork at the Apple Store and it seems really promising. I'd really like this to fuel Steve to make iWork better (though that's difficult).
I guess I'm not alone :P though some people still seem to think that iWork sucks.
To be a serious office productivity suite a spreadsheet is going to be needed. BA's and managers love spreadsheets.
Wonder if there will be an update later this year.
If not, then it truly is respectable.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
One question: are they also taking into consideration the fact that iWork is being bundled as of late by Apple? It's a 30-day trial or so, I believe.
If not, then it truly is respectable.
If they are, they have to take in to account that Office is being bundled too, at least as a 30 day trial.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
One question: are they also taking into consideration the fact that iWork is being bundled as of late by Apple? It's a 30-day trial or so, I believe.
Article did not indicate one way or the other.
Originally posted by wgauvin
The really need a spreadsheet. I wonder if Numbers wasn't added because it wasn't ready and it's quality would have taken away with from Keynote and Pages.
To be a serious office productivity suite a spreadsheet is going to be needed. BA's and managers love spreadsheets.
Wonder if there will be an update later this year.
I guess if I were betting $...I'd say iWork '07 (sadly).
Originally posted by wgauvin
The really need a spreadsheet. I wonder if Numbers wasn't added because it wasn't ready and it's quality would have taken away with from Keynote and Pages.
To be a serious office productivity suite a spreadsheet is going to be needed. BA's and managers love spreadsheets.
Wonder if there will be an update later this year.
Don't count on it - I have a feeling that the 5 year deal for Office on the Mac between Microsoft and Apple probably includes putting iWork on the backburner for a bit.
Originally posted by the cool gut
Don't count on it - I have a feeling that the 5 year deal for Office on the Mac between Microsoft and Apple probably includes putting iWork on the backburner for a bit.
Maybe, but I doubt it.
I purchased iWork last year and this year. I did not purchase Office during this time period because I already purchased it the year before.
I doubt that was counted.
While the percentages are probably correct, it almost seems the conclusion they draw in the article is that Pages now accounts for being the word processor on 20% of Macs vs. 80% for Office. I would bet that the great majority of those that have iWork also have Office.
Of course, I really like iWork so go Apple.
Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
Maybe, but I doubt it.
What else could be the reason? Keynote came first, the following year it was iWork with Keynot and Pages, and now this year ??? I mean, they have cells in Pages - so it's obviously in the works.
BTW I've never used iWork, what are the current formats for pages and keynote?
Originally posted by the cool gut
What else could be the reason? Keynote came first, the following year it was iWork with Keynot and Pages, and now this year ??? I mean, they have cells in Pages - so it's obviously in the works.
While it may be possible the whole MS deal is the reason, there is a more pausiable explaination: the whole Intel migration has taken more of a focus.
Apple needed to put as much resource in to getting Tiger to run with little to no problems, they needed their iLife and iWork applications to just work on Intel too. To put time and money in to building a spreadsheet app that would have to work on both platforms, and not degrade the work that was done with the rest of iWork to where it is, then it would be easier to pull a half backed application from iWork and release it when it's ready.
Originally posted by brclark82
Well, I too would love to be able to use iWork and get rid of Office (my only MS software). But, it has to be compatible with Office(i.e. .doc .xls .ppt) or I don't think it will ever really take off.
BTW I've never used iWork, what are the current formats for pages and keynote?
You should check out some of the features on Apples website.
Pages exports to Word, imports Word documents. Keynote is similar to Powerpoint and exports to and imports ppt.
I have had excellent results with Word compatibility for all but the really crazy composed Word documents. I still use Word sometimes but I can say that at least 90% of my needs are filled by Pages.
I am not sure how easy it is to obtain a free trial but if you can, I would encourage it. Get the manual as it is a little different than your normal word processor.
I don't even touch Keynote because I have no need for a presentation program. iWork is still worth it, atleast to me.
Originally posted by wgauvin
While it may be possible the whole MS deal is the reason, there is a more pausiable explaination: the whole Intel migration has taken more of a focus.
Apple needed to put as much resource in to getting Tiger to run with little to no problems, they needed their iLife and iWork applications to just work on Intel too. To put time and money in to building a spreadsheet app that would have to work on both platforms, and not degrade the work that was done with the rest of iWork to where it is, then it would be easier to pull a half backed application from iWork and release it when it's ready.
What he said.
I'm surprised by the news. I was under the impression that iWork was not selling well. Even the Apple rep at MWSF suggested to me that progress on the application required a bigger user base. Then again, I never really beleive the guys on the show-floor know anything.
Originally posted by wgauvin
While it may be possible the whole MS deal is the reason, there is a more pausiable explaination: the whole Intel migration has taken more of a focus.
Apple needed to put as much resource in to getting Tiger to run with little to no problems, they needed their iLife and iWork applications to just work on Intel too. To put time and money in to building a spreadsheet app that would have to work on both platforms, and not degrade the work that was done with the rest of iWork to where it is, then it would be easier to pull a half backed application from iWork and release it when it's ready.
Well, I disagree with that, because iLife are Cocoa apps, and have had Intel versions from the beginning.
I give them one more year, and if it doesn't come then it's not going to happen.
Originally posted by the cool gut
Well, I disagree with that, because iLife are Cocoa apps, and have had Intel versions from the beginning.
But isn't an issue of making an Intel version of the spreadsheet (that is the flip of a switch if Apple built it with Xcode). It is, you know, actually writing a decent spreadsheet, which is, undoubtedly, no cake walk.
I bet the deal was "no iWork on Windows".