Apple recently released updates for its suite of iWork applications, for both Mac and iOS. The company updated iWork to version 9.3 for compatibility with the iOS 1.7 updates. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote which were updated to version 1.7 added new features such as adding reflections to shapes and the ability to lock and unlock objects. Other features of Pages includes:

• Use Change Tracking to track changes to body text in a document
• Accept and reject individual changes as you review a document
• Import Pages and Microsoft Word documents with change tracking and continue to track changes to body text
• Preserve tracked changes in documents exported in Microsoft Word or Pages format
• Preserve calculations in tables when importing from and exporting to Pages for Mac
• Add reflections to shapes
• Lock and unlock objects

Apple also updated Numbers to version 1.7 to reflect some of the iOS changes on the Mac.

Numbers 1.7:

In this release Numbers for iOS is updated for improved compatibility with Microsoft Excel and Numbers for Mac.

• Hide and unhide rows and columns
• Import and export Numbers for Mac spreadsheets with filters, and turn filters on and off
• Preserve rich text in tables when importing and exporting
• Add reflections to shapes
• Lock and unlock objects

Keynote also received several new features, such as importing and exporting all Microsoft PowerPoint and Keynote for Mac slide sizes. Other features include:

• Import and export all Microsoft PowerPoint and Keynote for Mac slide sizes
• Import and export presentation themes, complete with master slides and preset styles
• Play back all Keynote action builds including Move, Rotate, Scale, and Opacity
• Add new slide transitions including Shimmer and Sparkle
• Preserve calculations in tables when importing from and exporting to Keynote for Mac
• Add reflections to shapes
• New print layouts include options to print with presenter notes, with builds, and without backgrounds
• Lock and unlock objects

The Mac version of the iWork applications can be downloaded via the Mac App Store, however, users that bought the boxed version of iWork can update via Software Update.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple has updated their website with a new page to promote and educate users about HTML5 and web standards. The showcase features 7 demos which prove that Safari for Mac, Windows and iPhone OS support the capabilities of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

These web standards are open, reliable, highly secure, and efficient. They allow web designers and developers to create advanced graphics, typography, animations, and transitions.

It is interesting to note that the webpage says “Standards aren’t add-ons to the web. They are the web. And you can start using them today.” However, in order to experience these “Standards” you will have to “add-on” Safari as your desktop browser. A blog post on Opera community claims that the reason behind the web page not working in the other browsers is:

Apple claim to promote HTML5 and an open Web, but the page uses browser sniffing to block other browsers, vendor prefixes for the CSS3 stuff they are using (even if other browsers support border-radius it won’t work because it’s coded using -webkit-border-radius), and the patent-encumbered H.264 for video.

Apple has been aggressively promoting HTML5 and have no intentions of bringing Adobe Flash to iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

HTML5 Showcase

• Video
• Typography
• Gallery
• Transitions
• Audio
• 360°
• VR

The iPad guided tour focuses on how one can take advantage of its unique features and large display. We found a few details in the guided tour which we thought were interesting to note.

Safari

Safari on iPad will allow you to access your favourite sites by tapping the address bar to reveal new bookmarks bar.

Another interesting feature to note was that the browser will allow you to play videos without leaving the page.

Mail

The iPad mail app will display an image of the sender on the right side.

Photos

Apple’s native photos app for the iPad will enable you to to skim the pictures with the bar at the bottom in addition to viewing them by flicking your finger on the screen.

If you own an iMac and use iPhoto to sync your your albums then you will be able to view your photos in Events, Faces and Places.

When you tap the options menu in the Photos app you will be able to share photos by sending it to your MobileMe gallery.

Apple has enhanced the Photos apps to a great extent and expects you to use your iPad as a digital photo frame. You will be able to play your own Music from the iTunes library and select transitions from the available options (Cube, Dissolve, Ripple, Wipe, Origami)

YouTube

When you tap on a video to watch it you can see the details below the video. While the video is playing you will be able to add it your favourites, Share, Rate or Flag it.

When you are done watching the video, you can access the sidebar on the right to see related videos, more videos by the same user or add a comment.

iTunes

Apple has integrated Genius in the new iPad iTunes app, this will allow you to discover new music based on your existing music library and purchases.

iBooks

The iPad features a built-in dictionary which will enable you to look up a particular word while reading an ebook using the iBooks app.

The screen orientation lock will allow you to read eBooks in your preferred angle without changing the device orientation.

Keynote

Keynote for iPad is a powerful app to create stunning presentations and it features some advanced features which can be implemented with simple multitouch gestures. You can style the pictures in the presentations with picture frames, shadows, reflections, control the border, angle of the shadow and even adjust the opacity. You can add advance transitions  to your presentation by selecting Magic Move and let keynote build sophisticated transitions for you.

You can share your presentations via email, upload to iWork.com or export it as a keynote or pdf file.

Pages

If you’re working on a large document with many pages then you can use the page navigator by sliding your finger on the side to preview the pages and jump to the exact page you were working on.