Apple just announced new apps and updates for its iLife and iWork apps on iOS, as part of today’s new iPad announcement.
Now both collections are available – in full – for the iPad. Here’s an overview of what’s new.
Phil Schiller said proudly: “We’ve now brought all of iLife to the iPad. Don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t create on an iPad.”
He was taking a none-too-subtle dig at the naysayers who said, back when the first iPad came out, that it was nothing more than a “consumption device.”
Now Apple has a complete suite of creative and productivity apps for iOS. The message is very clear: anything you can do on a Mac, you can do on an iPad. The way you do it might be slightly different, but you can still do it.
iPhoto Price: $4.99
iPhoto is the big story here. With the iPad 3’s impressive graphics processing power and higher quality built-in camera, it makes a lot of sense to transfer iPhoto over from OS X. It also works great as a lure to potential buyers. It screams, “Your photos will look this good if you buy this device!”
Key features:
- Side-by-side image comparisons
- Multi-touch editing (see screenshot above)
- One-tap effects filters
- Eight different touch-up brushes
- Public photo sharing via Albums hosted in iCloud
- AirPlay streaming
- Beam images directly to other iOS devices running iPhoto
It’s particularly nice, I think, to see the Albums feature. Apple annoyed a lot of people when it killed MobileMe, and with it the hosted photo albums feature that, while not huge, was much-loved by some users. This goes some way to restoring some of that missing functionality.
iMovie Price: $4.99
Key features:
- New instant trailers (even as you record footage)
- Theatre view previews
- Three new instant themes
GarageBand Price: $4.99
Key features:
- Jam Session – wirelessly connect up to four devices running GarageBand, and play or record together. Just like a band! The app automatically syncs tempo and key.
- Smart strings – play an orchestra with one finger tip.
- iCloud integration
Now, the iWork apps. All have been updated to take advantage of the new iPad’s Retina display. They’ve also got a handful of other new features…
Pages Price: $9.99
- Now supports landscape orientation (not just on iPad, but on iPhone and iPod touch too)
Numbers Price: $9.99
- New fancy 3D charts
Keynote Price: $9.99
- New slide builds and transitions, designed to make the most of the display and look as gorgeous as possible.
Note, the prices quoted above apply to new purchasers only. If you’ve already bought these apps before, you don’t have to pay for them again. The updates will be free.
Keep your eyes on Cult of Mac over the next couple of days – we’ll be reviewing all the new stuff as soon as we can get our hands on it.
