Apple iWrite?

[~Shard~]

It's going to be interesting to see what his application actually is. I agree with a lot of the posters here though - if it is indeed a replacement for MS Word, and since we already have Keynote, how much longer before we get iSheet as a replacement for Excel?

Just give me longer-than-32-character file names (why, Word, why?!?) in a word processing app and I'll be happy!

 

[~Shard~]

Hmm, this ties in nicely to the previous rumor of updated iApps, including a "new app" at MWSF. This definitely adds some validity to the rumors - now we just have to wait and see!

 

[Macmaniac]

Your All Wrong

It has to be Apples PDA iWrite on my new iWrite, complete with 1.2 ghz G4 and 10 gig HD, the iWrite is perfect for any person needing a powerful PDA.

 

[Sol]

Re: Your All Wrong

Originally posted by Macmaniac
It has to be Apples PDA iWrite on my new iWrite, complete with 1.2 ghz G4 and 10 gig HD, the iWrite is perfect for any person needing a powerful PDA.

I doubt that any new products would be designed with a G4 in mind.

The Apple PDA is the iPod.

 

[iChan]

should apple release a PDA, there is no chance in hell that it will be calling an iWrite.

I mean, is writing the only thing you;d be able to do on it?

PDA=Personal Digital Assistant...

 

[7on]

Blast, I hope it's a word processor. I hate having to switch to Home and End keys instead of the arrows and command. It needs to be as simple as Keynote compared to PowerPoint and support .doc files 100%. I doubt it's that hard, since it's only formated text. If that comes out and then a database builder, I'd have to find something to do with my Office CD. Maybe sell it to an uninformed mac user....

The only beef I have with Keynote is the lack of themes, though that is no reason not to use it.


Note: Just used Keynote to open some old PowerPoint files I had laying around, and I am impressed. Though some transitions didn't work, it's ok.


EDIT: Sparked by my Keynote escapade, I tried some .doc files in TextEdit. Text Only worked, but it choked on anything with images.

 

[lpb2h]

Re: Apple iWrite?

What we need is not a mere "word processor", but a document creation application beyond not just Word, but beyond FrameMaker, built for XML-based publishing, along with new schemas for electronic (beyond HTML) on-line and traditional documents, combined with new style sheet languages (beyond CSS). There is a gaping whole in the market which a company like Apple could leapfrog Adobe with, and change the internet forever. And change Apple in the process.

 

[Keymaster]

Hmmm....how about a Bluetooth pen and a new application?

The pen is designed to activate when picked up, or when the top is pressed, and that activates the interface software. The pen has a tip that can be used on any surface, even directly on a monitor, so there isn't a need to have any other hardware. With a training module for the application, it can "learn" how you write. When done, you can save what you have made directly as a PDF, save it as an image or have it convert to text.

So, that's just like the iPod and iSight, hardware that integrates and improves the usability of software.


I'm hoping for a new, improved Appleworks too, or Apple's version of OpenOffice, but this would be in line with what Apple is doing lately. In fact, when was the last time Apple introduced new i-themed software? Haven't all the i things been hardware the past two years?

 

[pgwalsh]

iPray for an office application.

iPray that it contains:
Open Standards Document Format
MySQL Integration.
XHTML & XML file support.
FTP
Speech Recognition.
Collaboration.
Blog Support
Conferencing Support.

 

[LimeiBook86]

Re: Something portable

Originally posted by Sol
iWrite sounds like something to do with pens, like on a PDA's screen. Ink allready does this on OS X but iWrite could be an application that is designed for that kind of input.

I am not so sure that Apple will create an office suite or a tablet PC but I am sure that they would not create a tablet and expect people to use Office X with it.

True, if it were a word like application I guess it should be called iType. iWrite sounds like some sort of PDA or Tablet Device.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Re: For the love of god

Originally posted by restiffbard
Please, Please let this be the new app released at MWSF. Please let it be a word processor. Please!!!

As Agent Smith said. Me me me me ME.

Does anyone around here ever look at the big picture? I see this as a major trend for Mac users on this site. Apple does or does no do something and the only thing half the people on this site do is "well I don't like it because I don't need it" or "why would Apple make a 2GB iPod. I couldn't care less about it." Look at the big picture people. Such a plan could backfire on apple in a big way. Yes as someone put it Apples' damned if they do and damned if they don't but 2%-5% market share, depending on who you talk to, is not the time to unleash the big guns. Apple should be playing the cards up their sleeve only when they either:
1. Have their backs to the wall with MS holding them back by threatening them with killing off Office.
2. They have a toe and handgrip on the business world.

Not now. But just because they just registered a name doesn't mean they are going to use it anytime soon. How many felines did Apple register? Enough for at least 3+ years with of OS's. As I said before this could simply be a WordPad wannabe app that is more compatible with Word. Or it could be an Apple stealth weapon they are holding back if, more likely when, Microsoft gets uppity.
LOL Imagine if this was built across all platforms. Linux, OSX, Windows. And Apple released it on every platform for free that was compatible with Word, WordPerfect, Openoffice out of the box. Talk about a doomsday weapon. I would love to see some snotty MS rep making threats to Steve. Steve hold up a remote control and the screen behind him turns on with a new iOffice logo.

 

[reyesmac]

I think Apple will sell this more as a portable document/ web site creation tool and by the way, it does word files too kind of application. They probably will find a way to use this app as a tool to make money even if it is free like giving it itools integration.
If they are going for unique and original, they can throw in the ability to make a document file that plays special small quicktime movies in it. Whatever it is I am sure everyone with any kind of computer will be able to open the files so long as they have quicktime installed.

Thats what I am hoping for at least.

 

[fr0d]

re: exchange functionality in Safari

BUT, i cant use the reply button or several other functions of exchange online.

Try disabling popup blocking temporarily (command K should do it).

 

[greenstork]

Re: Re: Apple iWrite?

Originally posted by lpb2h
What we need is not a mere "word processor", but a document creation application beyond not just Word, but beyond FrameMaker, built for XML-based publishing, along with new schemas for electronic (beyond HTML) on-line and traditional documents, combined with new style sheet languages (beyond CSS). There is a gaping whole in the market which a company like Apple could leapfrog Adobe with, and change the internet forever. And change Apple in the process.

Not to mention complete integration with other coding languages, weblogs (.Mac?), and built in FTP. Now we're talking.

edit: just saw pgwalsh's post, we're on the same page.

 

[greenstork]

Re: Re: For the love of god

Originally posted by SiliconAddict
As Agent Smith said. Me me me me ME.

Does anyone around here ever look at the big picture? I see this as a major trend for Mac users on this site. Apple does or does no do something and the only thing half the people on this site do is "well I don't like it because I don't need it" or "why would Apple make a 2GB iPod. I couldn't care less about it." Look at the big picture people. Such a plan could backfire on apple in a big way. Yes as someone put it Apples' damned if they do and damned if they don't but 2%-5% market share, depending on who you talk to, is not the time to unleash the big guns. Apple should be playing the cards up their sleeve only when they either:
1. Have their backs to the wall with MS holding them back by threatening them with killing off Office.
2. They have a toe and handgrip on the business world.

Not now. But just because they just registered a name doesn't mean they are going to use it anytime soon. How many felines did Apple register? Enough for at least 3+ years with of OS's. As I said before this could simply be a WordPad wannabe app that is more compatible with Word. Or it could be an Apple stealth weapon they are holding back if, more likely when, Microsoft gets uppity.
LOL Imagine if this was built across all platforms. Linux, OSX, Windows. And Apple released it on every platform for free that was compatible with Word, WordPerfect, Openoffice out of the box. Talk about a doomsday weapon. I would love to see some snotty MS rep making threats to Steve. Steve hold up a remote control and the screen behind him turns on with a new iOffice logo.

OK everyone take a deep breath, Apple's not releasing any super killer cross platform ultra word processor for free. This is Apple after all, the only software that they release for free is the kind which is contingent on you buying Apple hardware.

However, I do agree with you that it would be a killer app if it came out across multiple platforms, if it did all this:

Originally posted by pgwalsh
iPray for an office application.

iPray that it contains:
Open Standards Document Format
MySQL Integration.
XHTML & XML file support.
FTP
Speech Recognition.
Collaboration.
Blog Support
Conferencing Support.

 

[JDOG_]

I wouldn't really consider Office the glue that holds Microsoft together as much as getting pretty much every PC that's ever sold having Windows on it--there's some money in that. As far as office goes, well it's a great suite and I hope Apple can come up with a good one too if that's what they want to do. I'm happy either way really, as long as I can get my work done and go have fun.

 

[greenstork]

Originally posted by JDOG_
I wouldn't really consider Office the glue that holds Microsoft together as much as getting pretty much every PC that's ever sold having Windows on it--there's some money in that. As far as office goes, well it's a great suite and I hope Apple can come up with a good one too if that's what they want to do. I'm happy either way really, as long as I can get my work done and go have fun.

At some point in the near future, the line will become blurred between Windows and Office, with the increased integration of XML. Apple, in a sense, is playing catch-up in this regard.

Apple is all about getting work done efficiently and more intuitively than Microsoft, IMO, and Word will be a damn tough act to follow. If Apple does make an Office like suite or even just a word processor, and they follow Microsoft's lead on XML integration, I have no doubt in my mind that I will be blown away by it.

 

[hokka]

I like the pen idea... a new tool for the business and the creative market

though iWrite sounds more like software than hardware as a name, since iPen makes more sense and easier to say (plus the closeness to "iPod", imagine that's what it's really called ) - unless, ofcouse it's been taken...

here's a iPen camera - japanese invention: a digital camera in that's right, you've guessed it - a pen:

http://akiba.ascii24.com/akiba/news/2003/10/24/646546-000.html

and

http://www.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/showstory.jsp?storyid=3810 (engish)

BTW, the site http://www.ipen.com is still vacant

anyway, I still like the pen idea <end rant>

 

[ChrisH3677]

Originally posted by shen
bingo.

M$ makes money from only two units, and ask any company why they buy windows and don't look at linux and they say "Office."

now Macs run office too, but why spend more money to get the same thing?

Money's the reason Shen, but not the cost of hardware. It's the cost of software to replace all the applications used, not just Office.

There's a major misconception in the world that Office=Compatibility.

Sorry. I run the IT department of a local council, if I could I would replace our entire fleet of computers (around 96 at last count) with Macs I would.

But I can't. And nor can nearly all corporations.

I run VPC on my Mac because our Records Management System only runs on Windows and our local government system (finance and property) only runs on Windows.

And then there's all the specialist departmental applications which only run in Windows.

And then there's the MS-Access databases...

Our local government system cost well over $100,000. I am not aware of any LG system that is Macc compatible so one would have to be written from the ground up. Ditto Community Services apps.

If I was to convert our whole council to OSX it would cost in excess of $1,000,000... at least. Given my capital budget this year was $30,000... it's not gunna happen!!!

And that's just my piddly little council's story. Imagine a big company considering it! It won't happen.

I don't think Bill loses any sleep over anything Apple does.

I also don't think Steve has any intention of going head to head with Word & Excel. W&E are good for Apple. They are and always will be more compatible with W&E for Windows than any Mac based clone.
W&E in particular actually help bring switchers over, because it says "MS". So why would Steve mess with that?

If Apple went head to head with W&E, Bill would not drop Mac Office, he would merely make compatibility harder for non-MS clones to achieve. And that would stem the march of switchers quicksmart!

What about Keynote? Powerpoint is a bit player in the Office suite - the order of importance goes Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Powerpoint.

Have people stopped buying Office because Keynote is better than Powerpoint??? No way!! So Bill's not worried.

Personally, I hope that iWrite is a part of a totally new Appleworks.

 

[rauf]

iWrite

IMO iWrite may well be a wireless device to write with, especially given the lack of use inkwell has so far?

A decent pen type device with the ability to write either directly and have the text recognised by inkwell (like exsiting graphics tablet devices) but also write anywhere on the move and download handwriting recognised text when back near the mac. Now that would be a great product. Both products already exist seperately, in the PC world without the handwriting recognition, why not improve on it on the mac and sell it as a new product. After all that's what apple do best - take existing technology and implement it in a more intuitive way.

 

[ratspg]

word? wordperfect? word unperfect?

it doesn't matter much. i would love an alternative to MS office. Not because it is a bad product...which it isn't, it's the damned best office suite ever. just the fact that it is the ONLY one, and i think apple can make a decent word application that caters well to general public (not appleworks.)

come to think of it, i remember... the first thing i did before i bought my powerbook was ask myself 'how am i going to type my homework on it, and write my projects?' in other words... i made sure office was available on mac.

and people... stop promoting OpenOffice.... sure it has capabilities but um yea... user friendly? no.... apple-like? no... just works, like word does? no

it's hard to compete with something like MS word. it hasn't really ever had any serious competition and has been doing a great job at what it does for over 10 years.

Apple can definitely come out with an app similar to word with some new 'features' that make people go 'ooo' and 'aaahhhh' with all the lovely quartz stuff..but when it comes down to it... will it work on other computers... will you continue to be productive with it... is it cost-effective.

microsoft has had the lead and still will, this is no office killer if it even is a word kind of app. i respect microsoft for Office, it's a very solid application and is used worldwide. apples app, will have a minor effect, if anything.

 

[Winston Smith]

Could this be an iPod addon that uses Inkwell to allow you to scribble notes etc. on the move and sync with your mac back at base??

 

[tduality]

Re: Safari style?

Originally posted by g.money
I have no idea as to the legalities and such, but isn't it possible that Stevey can pull off an open source app--a la Safari--but this time with OpenOffice?

I heard OpenOffice is ready to go on X but it needs a hearty dose of "aquafication".

Personally, I find OpenOffice very appealing (full Word file compatibility!). It would be interesting to see whether Apple could just feed off the open source community again.

After using OpenOffice for quite some time now on Windows and on OS X I think it's quite far from being an 'Apple' product in terms of usability. It's as intuitive as Word, which means it's not intuitive for me at all. I hope Apple would come up with something much better in this respect. If they could use the core of OpenOffice and reengineer the UI we might have something fantastic here.

I'm not saying I don't like OpenOffice. It's just not so different from MS Office.

 

[arn]

Re: iWrite

Originally posted by rauf
IMO iWrite may well be a wireless device to write with, especially given the lack of use inkwell has so far?

Ah yes... excellent thought.

There have been products like this

Anoto

I think this could be an amazing thing.

arn

 

[TorbX]

Someone up here said that Apple for sure has an Office Suite in development, but that they wont release it before they really need to.

I agree.

Makes me wonder what other things they have in development "just in case"...

Office suite for sure.
Marklar / OSX for Intel i think...

Anything else?


PS: Sorry about even mentioning Marklar