iWork '09 Round-Up

Over the past few days I have been writing a doing videos on the latest line a office software from Apple, iWork '09. This post is just strictly about wether you should upgrade or not. That is a very debatable thing. First off let me say that if you don't at least have iWork '08 then I would suggest that you upgrade. Also if you use iWork on a regular basis then I would suggest that you get the new iWork '09.

The first application in our round-up is Pages. This is the word processing application that is in iWork. The new version of Pages includes many new features. Full Screen, this is something that has been needed for a while and they have finally given it to us. WHat this allows you to do is block out everything on your computer except the things that are relating to Pages. Dynamic outlining, this is a very complex feature that lets you organize and categorize the data in your document. They have added integration with Math Type and End Note. Also they have added more templates and better ways to share your documents. You can go here and read the full post on Pages '09: Pages '09 Demo Post

Next up in the Round-Up is Numbers '09. Apple has also added some new features in Numbers '09 that will allow you to make spread sheets better, simpler, and faster. The main thing that they have added in Numbers '09 is the multitude of formulas that you have access to. They have given you a new inspector of sorts that will allow you to view the formulas available to you by category. There is also a new way to organize your spread sheets. You can do things by category which is really nice for keeping them looking good and organized. Numbers '09 has also experienced updates to charts, the template chooser, and the sharing. You can read more about Numbers '09 here: Numbers '09 Demo Post.

The last and most compelling updates are to Keynote '09. Key note has seen some new transitions. Apple has given us a new and cool way to transition objects from one slide to another called Magic Move. They have also added some new text transitions that will give your slide show that little extra bam. On top of all of this Keynote know has some new and nice looking templates and chat textures, an iPhone remote application, and of course the new sharing features. you can read more about Keynote '09 here: Keynote '09 Demo Post.

So what is the verdict? Should you upgrade?

• Pages '09: No


• Numbers '09: Yes


• Keynote '09: YES!

So yes you should upgrade. If anything the new things that you can do just to make you job easier are well worth the $79 that it costs to upgrade. Please Comment and let me know what you think about pages.