iWork, iLife '05 Make Macworld Debut
As expected, Apple CEO Steve Jobs today unveiled a refreshed iLife software suite, along with a new productivity package called iWork. iLife features all new versions of Apple's flagship software, while iWork introduces a new word processing application.
iWork will replace the company's aging AppleWorks suite, which Jobs called "long in the tooth." It will include a new version of Keynote, Apple's presentation software, along with a new application dubbed Pages. Keynote 2 builds upon its predecessor with new themes and Flash output.
Pages is the company's answer to Word and will come preloaded with 40 templates. "It's everything you'd expect in a word processor," Jobs said. To achieve "word processing with style," Apple has integrated the application into iLife with iPhoto browsing. Pages is compatible with AppleWorks, Word and PDF files.
iLife '05, meanwhile, brings to the table a new version of iPhoto can handle 25,000 photos and touts an improved book creator, as well as sorting by calendar dates. For professionals, iPhoto now supports the RAW image format. Apple has also tweaked iMovie with high-definition video support and MPEG4 video editing.
Pop star John Mayer joined Steve Jobs on stage to demonstrate GarageBand 2, as he had for last year's debut. Multi-track simultaneous recording has been added, alongside new Jam Packs. It is now also possible for users to make their own loops with real-time notation.
Both iWork and iLife '05 will be available starting January 22, with retailing pricing set at $79 USD.