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Keynote: Apple Presentation Software Rumors

Re: Re: Apple database

Originally posted by robodweeb


Both Claris and Filemaker, Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Apple ... so Apple already owns Filemaker.

I would love to see tight integration between Keynote and Filemaker Pro ... without necessarily having to learn XML ... and I don't think it's too far off ...

cheerz!
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I cound'nt agree with you more. My gut is that they will eventually compete with the MS Office sweet (they have no obligation since they no longer have an agreement or contract with MS). I think that they are going to put the pieces of the puzzle together in a very robust and competitive suite like they did with iLife. individual apps with tight intergration. They need to assure that it will seamlessly interact with .doc, .xls as they made sure that the .ppt would work with PowerPoint and vise versa.
 
Re: I like "iWork"

Originally posted by -hh


True, but we all know that its only a matter of time until Microsoft hurts Apple again by dangling yet another old unupdated version of MacOffice, etc.

It is the huge number of businesses out there who are absolutely pissed off at Microsoft's current licencing policies, particularly how its extorting large gobs of money out of them that is the opportunity, and that's the reason that Apple should go after MS-Office MindShare.

Microsoft has made themselves too expensive for businesses to be happy in paying the bill.

Industry is already in a "Switch" campaign to an affordable (no annual fee) MS-Office compatible, Open Standards product, and currently, that's Linux.

Apple seems to be slowly lining up the pieces to do this as well ... let's just hope that they're not too slow!


-hh
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I agree. I think it's all about timing. Once upon a time, there were a lot of office suites (Lotus, Corel/WordPerfect, etc.), but MS has basically killed them all off. Because of Office's ubiquity, we assume that the war is over and MS has won. NOW is the time to step forward and offer compelling alternatives. Apple seems to be the only really motivated, ambitious (willing to challenge MS) developer left, and I wish them luck if, as it seems, their strategy is to piece-by-piece replace Office.
 
Re: Re: I like "iWork"

Originally posted by Awimoway


[snip]
but MS has basically killed them all off.
[snip]
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What makes me leery is exactly this... we've seen a very proven track record of this 'back in the day'... and who knows exactly how much this will p^ss Bill off? Will this be the proverbial straw before he just decides to bury Apple*?

* Assuming, for the sake of argument that it's even possible...
 
There is also an "in between" approach. Instead of Apple competing head on with Word/Excel or Apple flat out conceding, Apple could lend a hand to the open source "office" efforts, in the same way that they contributed to the open source that underlies Keynote. With Apple's finishing touches (interface bells and whistles, integration with other products) over an open source base, the price could be cheaper (less Apple development) and businesspeople would have a clear choice: Don't wanna pay for MS Office? Use a very affordable alternative, either the free X-Windows version or the cheap Apple-branded Mac-customized version.
 
Re: Re: Re: I like "iWork"

Originally posted by Codemonkey


What makes me leery is exactly this... we've seen a very proven track record of this 'back in the day'... and who knows exactly how much this will p^ss Bill off? Will this be the proverbial straw before he just decides to bury Apple*?

* Assuming, for the sake of argument that it's even possible...
Click to expand...

I almost wrote in my first post that we all live in fear of MS and assume they are undefeatable.

But what I'm really saying is that times have changed. MS won with its office suite because of the leverage they gained from their OS. Now that is a disdvantage. Instead of it being convenient or seamless to use Office with Windows, it's oppressive. Windows is oppressive. People are aching to get free.

I speak from experience because I bought my first Mac last summer. I really believe that in the next 10 or 15 years Apple will regain market share to somewhere in the 20-30% range if they continue to innovate on the software front and keep a high profile (a la Apple Stores, etc.). They may never "win" because most people are sheep, but they should survive and strengthen.
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
There is also an "in between" approach. Instead of Apple competing head on with Word/Excel or Apple flat out conceding, Apple could lend a hand to the open source "office" efforts, in the same way that they contributed to the open source that underlies Keynote. With Apple's finishing touches (interface bells and whistles, integration with other products) over an open source base, the price could be cheaper (less Apple development) and businesspeople would have a clear choice: Don't wanna pay for MS Office? Use a very affordable alternative, either the free X-Windows version or the cheap Apple-branded Mac-customized version.
Click to expand...

Good one DQ
 
Ok I don't get it...
Everyone is saying that is good for Apple to be attacking MS, is anyone concerned about Apple if MS does pull out development on the Mac?
Is anyone concerned about the kind of hit that Apple will take in the stockmarket with the end of MacBU?
What about developers that pull out just because MS thinks that it is no longer a viable platform?
What about users/switchers that will leave or not join the Mac platform with out Office:Mac?

Are we sure that Apple can take on all of these issues and prevail?

I'm concerned that Apple might be 'tickling a monster', that it wont be able to survive from. We should think what we may lose before we start going "Microsoft evil, Apple Good", and cast MS away like a bad douche rag.
I think we should be thinking of the implications if Apple does happen to completely piss them off.
Your thoughts??
 
MS: Here to Stay

Originally posted by Awimoway
Windows is oppressive. People are aching to get free.
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Sadly, no. People are and have always been happy with "good enough." Windows is good enough. For many things (browsing) Windows is actually good. 95% of all computer owners can't be completely wrong.

This is why the Apple retail stores are so important. Now macevangelists have a place to prove how wonderful Apple products are to the possibly converted.

But no one is "aching" to get free.
 
Originally posted by pretentious


is anyone concerned about Apple if MS does pull out development on the Mac?
No not really. Consider the route apple is taking, OpenSource. The applications or suits are out ther already. All we need to do is contribute to the movement and add the Apple flair and twist and apple would be able to compete.

What about developers that pull out just because MS thinks that it is no longer a viable platform?
Quite the opposite is happening. The Devs are flocking from near and far. Linux Devs as well.

What about users/switchers that will leave or not join the Mac platform with out Office:Mac?
Again... If we have the apps inplace because of the OpenSource Movment and can show people that "you won't be missing a thing if you use a mac", we will be ok.

MacBU? We'll just hire them back. :D
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Apple is far smarter than some of you give them credit for.

MS is out of courts, but still in hot water. Consider them tranqed. Right now MS can't do diddly to anyone, because they did in fact come very close to becomming a hardware, OS and office-solutions set of companies instead of the evil empire we know and love, er hate now.

Apple would be tromping around had they gotten the 970 in December. That's the real shame, but they arent sitting still. Software development takes time, a LOT of it. Less coding time under OSX, but still time to invent innovative ideas, I mean look at iDVD. Stuff like that doesn't fly out of your as.. you get the idea.

Hardware on the other hand can turn overnight. If Apple had a 1.8Ghz 64-bit IBM970 powered Dual-processor PowerMac right now you think ANYONE would be CONSIDERING switching to windows for "performance". Of course not.

Apple is no longer afraid of Microsoft. There is no product I can think of which I prefer over Apple's own. I suppose Word, but for what I do I use TextEdit over everything else. It's fast, simple, and has spell check. I ordered Keynote the day it was available. Why? Powerpoint hasnt changed ONE FEATURE since it came out. Or at least none I can think of. The Mac version got more stuff than the PC one. At least under Office v.X the text becomes anti-aliased once it's done with the animation. Still, Keynote is on a different level now.

Apple saw MS's empired based on two things: Office and Windows. OSX is better than Windows, and now Apple has 2/5ths of the Office Empire beat (FileMaker has proved better dozens of times by reviews and corporations, and from SJ's own presentations we know that Keynote kicks the crap out of PowerPoint).

Apple is biding there time for when the hardware is available for them to reclaim more markets. I will end with a deep thought:

People buy a computer for the hardware. People stay with a computer for the software.
 
Originally posted by MasterX (OSiX)
Apple is far smarter than some of you give them credit for.

MS is out of courts, but still in hot water. Consider them tranqed. Right now MS can't do diddly to anyone, because they did in fact come very close to becomming a hardware, OS and office-solutions set of companies instead of the evil empire we know and love, er hate now.

Apple would be tromping around had they gotten the 970 in December. That's the real shame, but they arent sitting still. Software development takes time, a LOT of it. Less coding time under OSX, but still time to invent innovative ideas, I mean look at iDVD. Stuff like that doesn't fly out of your as.. you get the idea.

Hardware on the other hand can turn overnight. If Apple had a 1.8Ghz 64-bit IBM970 powered Dual-processor PowerMac right now you think ANYONE would be CONSIDERING switching to windows for "performance". Of course not.

Apple is no longer afraid of Microsoft. There is no product I can think of which I prefer over Apple's own. I suppose Word, but for what I do I use TextEdit over everything else. It's fast, simple, and has spell check. I ordered Keynote the day it was available. Why? Powerpoint hasnt changed ONE FEATURE since it came out. Or at least none I can think of. The Mac version got more stuff than the PC one. At least under Office v.X the text becomes anti-aliased once it's done with the animation. Still, Keynote is on a different level now.

Apple saw MS's empired based on two things: Office and Windows. OSX is better than Windows, and now Apple has 2/5ths of the Office Empire beat (FileMaker has proved better dozens of times by reviews and corporations, and from SJ's own presentations we know that Keynote kicks the crap out of PowerPoint).

Apple is biding there time for when the hardware is available for them to reclaim more markets. I will end with a deep thought:

People buy a computer for the hardware. People stay with a computer for the software.
Click to expand...

nicely said
 
Thanks. I'd like to note I have an ability to out-do rumor sites. Sometimes I'm way off, but often I'm dead on. I thought it would be Philips (not TiVO) but I predicted a non-Apple set-top box which runs with Rendezvous. iSync/connection of iApps and "Steve Jobs Super-PowerPoint" were also predicted by me last year. I think I need a rumors site. :¬)
 
Re: MS: Here to Stay

Originally posted by QuiteSure
...95% of all computer owners can't be completely wrong.
Click to expand...
Sure they can be. The majority is often completely wrong.
But no one is "aching" to get free.
Click to expand...
Also an overstatement. My boss switched two weeks ago because he was so achey. Unless you are implying they won't stay achey because they switch. Many are aching less already. Many others will follow.

Nonetheless, 20-30% market share seems pretty far-fetched. 8-10% might be possible, though.

Chris
 
The hard part will be getting out of the 10% range. Once you hit 20% it's a one-on-one war with MS. 20% is a real market slice, 1-9% is still "niche" terretory. Once Apple hits 20% (i think 2006 would be optomistic, but not impossible. Depends on Intel and IBM a lot) they had better be prepaired to back up their anti-MS war with some amazing new software. By that time the anti-trust thing will be long gone and MS will be free to copy Apple. Thankfully Cocoa can keep Apple in the lead (Cocoa is 90% more efficient for programmers, Apple's figure, noy mine)

Also I have a rumor for you:
"Isnt it clever how apple took all these apps and products and used i-something as the name. now they have a web browser and it's called Safari. Then again Safari backwards is iRafas"

So kids, "Safari" 1.0 will be iRafas!!!

(just occured to me: Safari.... Jaguar? yeah, you know it)
 
If for no other reason than mule-headedness, I stand by my use of "aching." A lot--probably a minority, perhaps even a relatively small one, but still a lot in terms of real numbers--of people resent MS but use it because they see no viable alternatives. When several states sued MS a few years ago, they knew their electorate would stand behind them even though a majority of computer users were MS customers. People use it because they think they have to. They feel the same toward it as they did old-time utility providers, as a necessary evil, a price-gouging, monopoly with abominably poor service and a "who cares" attitude. Maybe they don't ache because they don't think there's anything they can do about it, but when they see OS X close up, with iLife and the emerging office apps, they'll discover the ache and the cure simultaneously.
 
Originally posted by Awimoway
If for no other reason than mule-headedness, I stand by my use of "aching." A lot--probably a minority, perhaps even a relatively small one, but still a lot in terms of real numbers--of people resent MS but use it because they see no viable alternatives. When several states sued MS a few years ago, they knew their electorate would stand behind them even though a majority of computer users were MS customers. People use it because they think they have to. They feel the same toward it as they did old-time utility providers, as a necessary evil, a price-gouging, monopoly with abominably poor service and a "who cares" attitude. Maybe they don't ache because they don't think there's anything they can do about it, but when they see OS X close up, with iLife and the emerging office apps, they'll discover the ache and the cure simultaneously.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, I was an "acher" myself. When I was looking for my first computer many years ago, I was told by several people not to get a Mac because there wasn't any software for it. Well, almost two years ago, after being so sick and tired of Wondows, I started looking for an alternative. I found that Macs are all that I was looking for.

I've gone to Mac, and I'll never go back.
 
Originally posted by rjrufo

I would like to see tighter integration of Mail, iCal and Address Book, something like M$ Entourage. Not neccessarily one big app, but be able to link contacts with appointments and e-mail. I like that feature in Entourage. I can look up a contact and find when and if I had an appointment with that person, or go right to the e-mail that I either sent to or received from that person. I can also color coordinate contacts, appointments and e-mail, depending on category. An example are my customers; I have a category called "Customers" which is colored green. Any appointment or e-mail that I have with a customer is colored green also.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with this - I'm still toying with returning to Entourage for this reason - and it's implementation of Palm memos for which I still have to use Palm desktop!
 
Re: About Apple...

Originally posted by mymemory
I think Key Note is a beauty, I have been in multimedia for 5 years now and I never felt atracted by Powerpoint even I had that need for things I do. With this new software some things are gonna change, specially if is compatible with PC Powerpoint!!! Can you imagine?

This key note (the event) was something, I can tell apple is not focused in processor speed, while every body else is focusing in processor speed, Apple is working with the field everybody else is lefting behind, that is a good strategy.

That means that if a mac is not the fstest computer in the market, is gonna be the most productive enviroment for the low and hi end consumer.
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Keynote will be big in education, trust me. I'm in a position where I can recommend software to a lot of university lecturers in the UK (particularly art and design which is Mac-based - my Keynote order is on its way, so if it does half what it says, I'll be letting everyone know. I hope Apple pay me :rolleyes:
 
Why Apple likes/dislikes rumours

Originally posted by RogueLdr


Sorry for the double post but you replied while I was writing my last one.

After the brouhaha with the iMac LCD last year, AAPL seems to have really clamped down on who has access to new products. (Although, I must say that the COVER OF TIME MAGAZINE was bound to get out before it hit the stands, just given the number of people that see the Quark/InDesign pages onscreen and that see the plates in the pressroom. That one would have gotten out even if Time Canada hadn't dropped the ball in a major way.)
ThinkSecret had alot to say about AAPL clearing the field of "journalists" from the rumors sites. It looks like Jobs is really adamant about being able to be the one to make the splash!
Although with Keynote, noone really thought of Apple in this context before, so it didn't gather alot of subsidiary threads after it was mentioned. (even though an Apple replacement for MS Office was mentioned more than once)

RL
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There's a lot to be said about the value of rumours for getting interest going, though I remember the reason why Apple are so silent these days on hardware developments - anyone else recall the days when a new Mac would come out alongside an announcement of the next model waiting in the wings? It must have killed a lot of sales and there was one point here in the UK when I remember a big reseller in the north going bust because no one was buying - literally none of the ad agencies, bureaus, in-house designers etc etc - simply because Apple announced what was six months down the line.

anyone remember the 'concept PC' that was 'announced' shortly after the iMac came out? that's another reason not to announce things too early - they don't show up. In Apple's case, Opendoc, HotSauce (tho maybe I dreamt that one!), Copland, themes etc etc. The only thing I remember them announcing significantly before the event is OSX...

In the meantime, rumours (so long as they raise interest rather than dampen demand) are good. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple 'leak' a few nuggets on purpose. A few near misses keep people happy, a few whoppers stop people getting too over the top and allow the real stories to be a surprise, and a few 'balloons' allow them to test the water with the faithful.
 
Re: Re: About Apple...

Originally posted by artistry
my Keynote order is on its way, so if it does half what it says, I'll be letting everyone know. I hope Apple pay me :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Of course, like all other macusers, we don't ask for money; the continued health of our platform of choice is enough.;)
 
Re: Powerpoint vs. Keynote

Originally posted by QuiteSure

I wonder what the specific perceived advantages to Keynote are over PowerPoint that would justify the additional $99 pricetag to existing MS Office owners.
Click to expand...

Well for one thing, for a while your presnetations will look different from everyone else's (all presentations look alike these days).
You can produce graphics intensive presentations easily (Powerpoint is a bit of a pain)
Drag and drop Quicktime and graphics formats
Anti-aliased text (it makes a huge difference)
Clipping paths on graphics
Photoshop layered documents handled
Flash handled
Transitions are way ahead of PP
Nice themes - bit limited at the moment but it's an open format so expect third party themes all over the place
Powerpoint is old and hard to handle IMHO, Keynote appears fast and light.
Exports to Quicktime video for web deployment. Not HTML yet, but if you've tried Powerpoint's web export you might see this as a blessing in disguise!
Export to Powerpoint, JPG, PDF.

Oh save me typing, ;) have a look at the site (be sure to drill down and look at the movies and the deeper pages - I think there's a menu bar missing on the front page.)

By the way, I stumped up for Omni Outliner last night - what a great app. You know how sometimes you think 'what's the point'? I've achieved so much with it today. I can see me using it with Keynote to develop lectures and presentations.
 
Re: XML Automation

Originally posted by wrylachlan
Did any one else think the idea of XML automated daily presentations was stunningly powerful? That's the feature that really gets me about Keynote.
Click to expand...

If I was still in business I'd be making a mint out of this. A cool feature.

Just had an idea, actually ;)
 
Originally posted by Awimoway
If for no other reason than mule-headedness, I stand by my use of "aching." A lot--probably a minority, perhaps even a relatively small one, but still a lot in terms of real numbers--of people resent MS but use it because they see no viable alternatives. When several states sued MS a few years ago, they knew their electorate would stand behind them even though a majority of computer users were MS customers. People use it because they think they have to. They feel the same toward it as they did old-time utility providers, as a necessary evil, a price-gouging, monopoly with abominably poor service and a "who cares" attitude. Maybe they don't ache because they don't think there's anything they can do about it, but when they see OS X close up, with iLife and the emerging office apps, they'll discover the ache and the cure simultaneously.
Click to expand...

I have a colleague who hates the Mac she's got at work because it doesn't have a page-down key or something. Or a delete/insert key. I remember seeing lots of people on my evening classes look for that key and decide they hated Macs because of it. The single-button mouse got them too, as does the no-bitton mouse.

My conclusion: people are strange.

PS as for the colleague - I'm giving her my extended keyboard in exhange for her non-extended one. I don't care as long as she SHUTS UP! I'll get it back when she leaves...
 
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