Event Coverage

Macworld Conference & Expo 2006

By Ng Chong Seng - 12 Jan 2006

iWork '06

Work Harder with iWork '06

In last year's Macworld, Apple announced the iWork '05, which is a suite consisting of two productivity software, namely Pages and Keynote 2. Pages is a word processor and page layout application that allows you to create anything from resumes to newsletters (40 templates are given). Keynote 2 on the other hand was an updated version of the existing Keynote presentation program. Both of them had a media browser for integration with the iLife suite. A year on, and this productivity software suite now gets another upgrade in the form of iWork '06 (consisting of Pages 2 and Keynote 3).

The all new iWork '06 productivity suite.

Here are several noteworthy enhancements that warrant it a retail upgrade:

  • 3D charts – charts featuring realistic wood grain, metal and marble textures with full control over the viewing angle are now possible.
  • Advanced image editing – iPhoto-like image editing tools can be found and adjustments can be made right directly within documents or presentations.
  • Reviewer’s comments – include reviewer’s comments to slides and documents without affecting the layout.
  • Freeform shapes and masks – freeform shapes and curves with smooth edges can be created and used to mask images.
  • Tables with calculation – tables with spreadsheet-like calculations can now be inserted within any document or presentation so that you can add, multiply or average numbers in rows and columns.

Realistic 3D graphs are a new feature and here's a screenshot illustration from Keynote 3.

Here's a screenshot of Pages 2 and its advanced page layout possibilities.

While the above are standard features within both applications, there are also new features added within each application. For Pages 2, mail can be merged with the Mac OS X Address Book so that you can drag and drop contacts easily into documents. There are also two dozen new templates for newsletters, flyers, posters, school reports, scrapbooks, brochures, business proposals and invoices. And the new thumbnail and search views make it easy to work with large documents as you can quickly locate any word or phrase within the document itself.

For Keynote 3, there are new cinematic transitions such as vertical and horizontal blinds, revolving door, swoosh and the like. There are also more Apple-designed themes for users to choose from, four of which are specially designed for HD displays. There is also a new Light Table view mode for viewing the entire presentation at a glance.

iWork '06 is now available at a price of USD$79. A 30-day trial version will also be included on new hardware and within copies of Mac OS X and iLife '06 sold in retail. When the trial ends, it will become an iWork '06 player.

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