Apple Introduces iWork ’08
New “Numbers” Spreadsheet Added
CUPERTINO, California–August 7, 2007–Apple today introduced iWork ’08, a
significant upgrade to Apple’s productivity software suite featuring new
versions of Pages and Keynote word processing and presentation
applications, and introducing an innovative new spreadsheet application
called “Numbers.” Numbers introduces the concept of intelligent tables on a
flexible canvas, a new approach that makes it easy to organize information,
create calculations, analyze results and make spreadsheets look as great as
they work. Pages ’08 now features distinct modes for streamlined word
processing and flexible page layout, a new contextual format bar and change
tracking, and Keynote ’08 now includes text effects, transitions and themes
that help users easily compose spectacular presentations, and Smart Builds
with easy-to-set-up A-to-B animations that make impressive animations easy
for anyone to create.
“Pages and Keynote make it incredibly easy, and even fun, for anyone to
create stylish documents and presentations very quickly,” said Steve Jobs,
Apple’s CEO. “Numbers rounds out the iWork suite, which is far more
intuitive and easy to use than anything else out there.”
Numbers ’08 is a new approach to spreadsheets that allows people to
organize their information, interact with their data and calculations and
make their spreadsheets easy to understand and print. With multiple
intelligent tables on a flexible graphics canvas, users can rearrange
information, resize and add columns–all without breaking their
spreadsheet. Each table is a full-blown spreadsheet with automatic header
and footer rows, easy sorting and filtering, and automatic cell naming so
creating, reading and maintaining formulas is easy. Common functions can be
dragged to any cell, and a total of 150 functions are available spanning a
wide range of calculations, including numeric, date and time, financial and
statistical. Interactive checkboxes and sliders let users change cell
values easily to explore different scenarios and see their results
instantly. Users can create stunning 2D and 3D charts that are
automatically updated as data changes, then complement them with rich
graphics, photos and text labels. Interactive printing makes it easy to fit
a document on a single page or rearrange and resize tables and objects
across multiple pages.
Pages ’08 now has two distinct modes: streamlined word processing that
makes it easy to create stunning documents in seconds; and flexible page
layout, which gives users complete control over the position of objects on
the page. Pages includes 140 Apple-designed templates that let users easily
create letters, reports, newsletters and brochures. A new contextual format
bar gives users the exact set of tools they need at their fingertips
whether they’re editing text, creating a table or adjusting an image.
Change tracking lets users collaborate with others on a document by
displaying each person’s edits in different colors, then accept or reject
each proposed change.
Keynote ’08, Apple’s industry-leading application for creating
cinema-quality presentations, introduces new Smart Builds to make it easy
for anyone to create spectacular animations by simply dropping graphics
onto a slide. More advanced users can control every aspect of their
animations with new A-to-B animations to define movement, rotation, scaling
and opacity. Keynote’s new Instant Alpha feature makes it easy to remove
unwanted backgrounds from photos and graphics without needing a graphics
department. Users can record their presentations along with a voice-over,
then deliver them to audiences in person or over the Internet via
podcasting or YouTube. The new Keynote also includes a collection of new
text effects, transitions and themes.
iWork ’08 can import Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and AppleWorks word
processing, presentation and spreadsheet files, and can export documents in
Microsoft Office file formats or PDFs for easy sharing.
Pricing & Availability
iWork ’08 is now available through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s
retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price
of $79 (US). A 30-day iWork ’08 trial will be available on new hardware and
with copies of iLife ’08 sold at retail. After 30 days, the trial becomes
an iWork ’08 player. iWork ’08 requires Mac OS X version 10.4.10 or later,
a Macintosh computer with a 500 MHz or faster PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 or
Intel processor, 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended), 32MB of video RAM,
QuickTime 7.2 or later and 1GB of available disk space. iLife ’08 is
recommended.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with
its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has
entered the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.