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Apple Makes iMovie, GarageBand, and iWork Apps for Mac and iOS Free for All Users
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I think he gave it away because they are losing and no one really will use these apps.
With samsung back in the game with the 8, TC can't rely on exploding competition to keep Apple sales up.
It's a good move, he has to give some bones out until Apple fixes it's product line.
This is way too little, too late on Apple's part. It's not like Pages, Keynote and Numbers are bad software. Especially Keynote is great and I do enjoy it more than PowerPoint. The problem is that these should have been free all along.
Apple can't compete with Microsoft simply due to how many jobs, schools, organizations etc.. that rely on Microsoft's Office XML format. As there is no cross compatibility between the files produces my iWork and Microsoft Office you will most likely have to rely on the latter due to how widespread the software has been for a decade now, and how it works cross-plattform (if we ignore Linux).
The one thing Apple should have done was to really push iWork and iLife on Mac and iOS devices. If they had been pre-supplied and free on all Mac and iOS devices for the past ten years they might have achieved some traction due to how popular especially iOS devices have become and how that how changed the market.
Now it's way too late. If we go back to around 2008-2010 I would at least see some users using iWork on Mac's. But today I only see people using Microsoft Office and nothing else. A few are using Google Docs, but that's mostly people not wanting to pay a dime for their software and won't be getting it for free through their workplace or school.
It's not like Apple have given iWork much love for the past couple of years either. Pages and Keynote still works great, but they have been surpassed by Microsoft Office 2016 / 365 in pretty much every area. Especially when used online / through the browser there is no comparison even though I hate using the software in the browser. Even on iOS one have to argue that Office 2016 / 365 is simply updated way more frequently and it's getting more optimised and tailored for the touch-first experience in a much more rapid phase compared to iWork.
For those who don't want to pay, or wont be getting access to Office 2016 / 365 through their workplace or school will most likely rely on Google Docs. It's not like Google Docs is close to matching Microsoft Office, in many areas Google Docs isn't even surpassing iWork. But it's been free all the time and their web-tools actually tends to work okay and it's cross-plattform.
So on one side you have those who want access to actual software and applications and they often rely on the use of Microsoft's XML Format which will use Microsoft Office. On the other hand you have those who don't require much at all from their tools and want something for free which will use Google Docs. Apple and iWork doesn't really fit in anywhere and it's all because of Apple being way to slow with development of the software and not making it available for free from the get-go on iOS in order to get some traction in the market.
Apple can't compete with Microsoft simply due to how many jobs, schools, organizations etc.. that rely on Microsoft's Office XML format. As there is no cross compatibility between the files produces my iWork and Microsoft Office you will most likely have to rely on the latter due to how widespread the software has been for a decade now, and how it works cross-plattform (if we ignore Linux).
The one thing Apple should have done was to really push iWork and iLife on Mac and iOS devices. If they had been pre-supplied and free on all Mac and iOS devices for the past ten years they might have achieved some traction due to how popular especially iOS devices have become and how that how changed the market.
Now it's way too late. If we go back to around 2008-2010 I would at least see some users using iWork on Mac's. But today I only see people using Microsoft Office and nothing else. A few are using Google Docs, but that's mostly people not wanting to pay a dime for their software and won't be getting it for free through their workplace or school.
It's not like Apple have given iWork much love for the past couple of years either. Pages and Keynote still works great, but they have been surpassed by Microsoft Office 2016 / 365 in pretty much every area. Especially when used online / through the browser there is no comparison even though I hate using the software in the browser. Even on iOS one have to argue that Office 2016 / 365 is simply updated way more frequently and it's getting more optimised and tailored for the touch-first experience in a much more rapid phase compared to iWork.
For those who don't want to pay, or wont be getting access to Office 2016 / 365 through their workplace or school will most likely rely on Google Docs. It's not like Google Docs is close to matching Microsoft Office, in many areas Google Docs isn't even surpassing iWork. But it's been free all the time and their web-tools actually tends to work okay and it's cross-plattform.
So on one side you have those who want access to actual software and applications and they often rely on the use of Microsoft's XML Format which will use Microsoft Office. On the other hand you have those who don't require much at all from their tools and want something for free which will use Google Docs. Apple and iWork doesn't really fit in anywhere and it's all because of Apple being way to slow with development of the software and not making it available for free from the get-go on iOS in order to get some traction in the market.
My Macs are 2012 Mac Mini Server (newer version sucks; mine is faster so no upgrade) and I still have/use a 2008 Macbook Pro 15" (mostly for Logic use and trips). I also have an upgrade PowerMac G4, but we won't go there. My mother has a 2012 Macbook Pro 13". So I guess "surely everyone" isn't exactly correct (not that I give a crap about those apps anyway; I have Microsoft Office and Logic Pro and even an older Final Cut Pro on the Macbook Pro. All of those are generally better than these.)
Maybe if Apple would make a decent Mac I'd upgrade. I was waiting for Thunderbolt III Macbook Pro, but I can't say I'm thrilled with the new $2400 base price for a 15" model (I got my 2008 as the 2009 model came out for $1600, so that's $800 more and it doesn't come with enough base hard drive space, meaning it would cost me $3000 in reality and so that's $1400 more and that's RIDICULOUS for a notebook with only 1TB of drive space. The Mac Pro is a JOKE (even Apple admits it). The newer Mac Mini just plain sucks (no quad-cores period and no i7 anymore so it's not even better than my 2012 model for most tasks). That leaves some iMac models where I have to buy a new monitor to get a computer whether I want/need one or not and they're kind of underpowered for 5K. So I guess I get to keep on waiting or just buy a PC (or build a Hackintosh).
I've just updated Word on my iPad this morning (second update in a fortnight! It must be a Microsoft thing). It's 207Mb. Perhaps you have the 365 version rather than the full App on your device?
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This isn't about cash for Apps. It's about making useful alternatives to Office and google docs available to all of Apple's users. Check out WWDC in June. These will all get significant updates, making them much more appealing to a broader audience! Especially the iWork Apps, which have suffered from the cross-platform 'weight loss' program they were put through a few years ago. Here's to fuller, fitter, faster productivity Apps...☘️
That's out of question. Facts speak better than words. Apple is a greedy company and now more than ever. It is also a BIG company. The kind that moves slooooowlier than a 747 when changing course. Don't misunderstand the move. Drug dealers may also offer their stuff for free at first. Besides, how many iWhatever do you think they sell monthly? Must be infinitesimal in their total revenues.
I thought I would download these free apps and got locked into a ridiculous spiral of changing passwords, double authentication, resetting with codes by email that I just gave up. Nothing I did over the course of 1 hour seemed to allow me to download a free app. Just put a button on the App Store that lets anyone get free stuff without all this maze of confusion.
I will continue with Open Office. That was a piece of cake to get. Apple take note and keep your "free" apps.
I will continue with Open Office. That was a piece of cake to get. Apple take note and keep your "free" apps.
seriously? It wasn't free for macs pre 2013, but requires to run MacOS Sierra for most of them, and on how many pre 2013 devices can you run macOS Sierra? devices that are 4 years and older, which to Apple are already replaced with new ones.
dropping this rule doesn't make a dent..AT ALL.
Indeed, very *impolite* to charge its most loyal customers while giving it for free to newcomers.
The strange thing is that customers (you know, the ones who hand over their hard earned cash to Apple) have no problem with Apple's product lines. It's just the moaners on MacRumors.
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There hasn't been any meaningful revenue for the last three years. Someone who bought a Mac in 2013 and hadn't bought Pages yet wasn't going to buy it in 2017.
If you had spend your time following iWorks' history instead of cheap counterbashing, you might have noticed that the development path of these apps (except maybe Keynote) has been dubious as of late, to say the least.
Feature development is prioritised after iOS/MacOS version parity, which by itself seems a infinite/impossible task and has become the classic example of how the least of platforms hampers the more sophisticated. Making it free, besides sincere gratitude, is the easiest way out from all expectations, feature requests and responsibility.
So we better acknowledge that, compared to Mac Office and the effort Microsoft puts into it, free iWork forever will remain (candy) Toys rather than (real) Tools.
It conforms to the modern Apple vision of a "Pro": people wankering around with a pencil in a bar, but sadly it is neither of those that iWork will benefit from. And the other way around: why would Apple want to develop these people either (so much effort, and they might come to ask for new Macs...)
Killing the 32bit iWork version soon will reignite iDevice sales - and obviously pay off for all generosity
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Very good reason to make it free. Your $15 (if you paid them, but apparently you didn't) wouldn't have paid Apple's cost for the 20 minute phone call, so giving it away for free would have been cheaper.
They are not giving macs away.......and given its been free since 2013....I don't think this will impact TC's $$$
Yosemite, El Capitan and Sierra are currently still supported, so why can't Apple apps also be supported on these operating systems.
At least give the option for users on Yosemite and El Capitan to purchase the apps.
This isn't being generous. The apps are locked to Sierra (and above) only, therefore those with older hardware must update (if they can). One more chance to force updates and therefore 'encourage' (aka make a little more obsolete) upgrading hardware.
At least give the option for users on Yosemite and El Capitan to purchase the apps.
This isn't being generous. The apps are locked to Sierra (and above) only, therefore those with older hardware must update (if they can). One more chance to force updates and therefore 'encourage' (aka make a little more obsolete) upgrading hardware.
Essentially they are only giving the software away to those who were already able to get it for free.
It's a backhanded gift. Their only motivation is the misguided hope that this will convince us that our machines must be replaced.
Like one more jab will convince us that our computers are obsolete, and suddenly we'll flock to the Apple Store to buy a new computer that has Apple's blessing, but is otherwise not any more capable than what we already have.
I imagine shortsighted Tim will be surprised to learn that nobody flocked to buy new computers to run iWorks Apps. It's just not that good.
AppleWorks was the last time Apple had a great package. Simple and powerful. It was the best package. But all we've seen since then is diminished capabilities.
I'd move back to PowerPC to run AppleWorks before I purchased a new Mac to run iWorks.
W
Apple today updated several of its Mac and iOS apps, making them available for all Mac and iOS users for free.
iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and GarageBand for both Mac and iOS devices have been updated and are now listed in the App Store for free.
Previously, all of these apps were provided for free to customers who purchased a new Mac or iOS device, but now that purchase is not required to get the software. Many Apple customers were already likely eligible to download the software at no cost if they had made a device purchase in the last few years.
Apple's iWork page has not yet been updated and continues to say that customers will only be able to download Pages, Keynote, and Numbers after purchasing an eligible Mac or iOS device, but new wording may be added shortly following the price drop. Apple's apps have also been removed from the Top Free app charts in the App Store.
Apple has been offering these apps for free to new Mac and iOS device owners since 2013, but dropping the price to free for all users makes it less confusing and opens up downloads for those who have not recently made a new device purchase.
- Pages for macOS [Direct Link]
- Keynote for macOS [Direct Link]
- Numbers for macOS [Direct Link]
- GarageBand for macOS - [Direct Link]
- iMovie for macOS - [Direct Link]
- Pages for iOS - [Direct Link]
- Keynote for iOS - [Direct Link]
- Numbers for iOS - [Direct Link]
- GarageBand for iOS - [Direct Link]
- iMovie for iOS - [Direct Link]
Update: According to a support document, today's app changes will make it easier for business and educational institutions to download Pages, Numbers, Keynote, GarageBand, and iMovie through the Volume Purchase Program store.
Article Link: Apple Makes iMovie, GarageBand, and iWork Apps for Mac and iOS Free for All Users
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What's the catch?
And what % of that would that be? Still good, but its hardly worth making it free.... Get the little sods to upgrade their Macs.
*ME* - I'm still going strong with my 2011 MBPRo + Sierra.
Frankly, Apple should have freed them up for everyone by now.
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i don't see the contradiction here. that software is free since 2013 as unique selling point for macs and ios devices - so more devices sold, more money made. but they still continued for 3 1/2 years to milk the old customers for money.
personally, i got my money's worth from iWork and Garageband, so I won't complain, but I don't see this move as an act of generosity.
iWork any day. It's incredibly underrated. I have MS Office and I prefer working on iWork. I only use MS Office when the document comes from elsewhere and I reeeeaaally need 100% compatibility (legal stuff).
For myself, productivity and anything else, iWork.
iLife, or what's left of it, is also wonderful. Even if I have Logic, sometimes I go with GarageBand just to have a different workflow, if I need anything down the line I can open the project in Logic