Apple has finally updated its iWork apps for OS X 10.11 El Capitan which include Pages, Numbers and Keynote. The updates include El Capitan compatibility, multitasking through split view, Force Touch, compatibility improvements and other new features.
It took some time for Apple to release its updated productivity apps for Mac and iOS but it is good to see that the apps are loaded with improvements. However, the ratings in the Mac App Store range from 2.5 to 3.5 stars for the apps. Most users complain about the number of features that were stripped out when the apps were redesigned. Some of the features have still not been added back to the apps which does bother a lot of users as evident by the reviews in the App Store.
Here are the full release notes for the updates:
[ft_accordions open=””] [ft_accordion title=”Pages for Mac 5.6″ ] • Multitask while editing using new Split View in El Capitan • Open Pages ’08 and ’06 documents • Shared Pages documents can now be previewed on iOS and Android browsers • Force click images and get haptic feedback as you edit using Force Touch trackpad • New Apple-designed templates: ePub, Kids Certificate, Classic Certificate, School Newsletter • Easily access recently used fonts in the Fonts menu • Enhanced support for OpenType font features like small caps, contextual fractions, alternative glyphs and more • View Collections, Moments, Favorites and Shared Albums from Photos in the Media Browser • Add reference lines to charts • Create table, chart and shape styles from an image • Add and review comments with VoiceOver • Track changes with VoiceOver • Edit chart data and chart elements with VoiceOver • Additional AppleScript options for PDF export • Additional AppleScript options for ePub export • Improved Word compatibility for charts, text overflows and non-rectangular masks • Improved Word export • Improved ePub export • Improved EndNote support [/ft_accordion] [ft_accordion title=”Keynote for Mac 6.6″ ] • Multitask while editing using new Split View in El Capitan • Open Keynote ’08 and ’06 presentations • Shared Keynote presentations can now be previewed on iOS and Android browsers • Force click images and get haptic feedback as you edit using Force Touch trackpad • New build animation: Line Draw • New Apple-designed themes: Modern Type, Exhibition, Drafting • Easily access recently used fonts in the Fonts menu • Enhanced support for OpenType font features like small caps, contextual fractions, alternative glyphs and more • View Collections, Moments, Favorites and Shared Albums from Photos in the Media Browser • Add reference lines to charts • Create table, chart and shape styles from an image • Easily edit presenter notes with VoiceOver • VoiceOver can now read presenter notes during slideshows • Edit chart data and chart elements with VoiceOver • Add and review comments with VoiceOver • Full bidirectional support for Arabic and Hebrew • Additional AppleScript options for PDF export • Additional AppleScript options for PowerPoint export • Improved PowerPoint compatibility for charts, text overflows, non-rectangular masks, animation mapping, and theme import and export • Improved PowerPoint export [/ft_accordion] [ft_accordion title=”Numbers for Mac 3.6″ ] • Multitask while editing using new Split View in El Capitan • Open Numbers ’08 spreadsheets • Shared Numbers spreadsheets can now be previewed on iOS and Android browsers • Force click images and get haptic feedback as you edit using Force Touch trackpad • Easily access recently used fonts in the Fonts menu • Enhanced support for OpenType font features like small caps, contextual fractions, alternative glyphs and more • View Collections, Moments, Favorites and Shared Albums from Photos in the Media Browser • Add reference lines to charts • Create table, chart and shape styles from an image • Edit chart data and chart elements with VoiceOver • Add and review comments with VoiceOver • Additional AppleScript options for PDF export • Additional AppleScript options for Excel export • Improved Excel compatibility for charts, text overflows and non-rectangular masks • Improved Excel export [/ft_accordion] [/ft_accordions]
I have been using iWork apps exclusively for the past few month and while I’m happy to see these updates, I think Apple has a lot of work to do before the new apps can be taken seriously as Office for Mac alternatives in professional environments.
The new updates are available in the App Store. New users can download the apps from below links.
