Apps

Is there value in buying Apple’s iWork over other software?

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At Apple’s recent Worldwide Developer’s Conference, a new version of the iWork productivity suite was previewed, and it included some interesting features. Integrated with the popular iCloud service, the latest incarnation of iWork can be accessed from any device, including a PC, using an Internet browser. To demonstrate just how handy this can be, Roger Rosner of Apple used it to edit a Microsoft Word document on a Windows 8 PC by running iWork in a Google Chrome browser window.

At approximately $60.00 to download the full iWork suite of Pages, Numbers and Keynote from the App Store, the software is a reasonable price compared to purchasing Office for a PC. But if you want the accompanying apps for your iPad or iPhone, they’ll cost you roughly an additional $30.00. Are they worth it, especially considering the option to access iWork from iCloud on any browser will be available this fall?

Depending on the way you work, it may be worthwhile to have iWork on your Mac as well as the apps on your device. The combination is ideal for the mobile mindset many of us have today. The freedom to start a document in Pages on OSX, then access it in iCloud and add to it on iPad during your morning commute or even have the ability to pull it up on your iPhone and show it to someone unexpectedly can prove quite convenient. It’s especially useful if you either don’t have a MacBook or the circumstances just don’t call for pulling a computer out. For example, the ability to pull up and deliver a Keynote presentation on your iPhone or iPad makes for greater ease of mobility than having to set up a laptop.

The app versions of the iWork programs are surprisingly full-featured, too. You’ll enjoy the same capabilities to read and create documents as you’ll get on the traditional Mac software. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are just as visually appealing as they are on OSX and offer many options for formatting and editing, while being tailored to a mobile device. For example, Numbers uses a unique input panel in iOS that makes using it on iPhone or iPad much simpler. Furthermore, Keynote capitalizes on its visually appealing format and increases interaction by offering the ability to touch and swipe to create presentations.

There are two main drawbacks to operating iWork from iOS, but neither should be significant enough to deter consumers from using them. First is the pop-up touchscreen keyboard. While certainly sufficient for making minor additions or edits to documents, most consumers find it less than optimal for doing large amounts of work. If, for example, you’d like to use the iPad to work on the go instead of having a MacBook, a portable wireless keyboard or case and keyboard combination device is highly recommended.

The second concern with iWork for iOS is the inability to have multiple documents open at once. While not a major issue, it may decrease productivity slightly for those who are used to switching back and forth between files while working. Despite these minor negative points, however, iWork for iOS is still incredibly functional. Furthermore, while the upcoming release of iWork for iCloud is useful, it’s not beneficial in moments where you don’t have an Internet connection. As a result, the ability to work in the app and sync later is convenient.

Given that purchasing the equivalent Office for a PC would cost between $95.00 and $150.00 for the average versions, with professional additions and extras upping the price even more, the price of owning iWork for OSX and iOS comes into perspective. Whether you’re jetting between the office, home and meetings or just want to utilize the time during your commute, t o have the option of accessing your documents and being able to work on them from any device can prove extremely valuable.

iPhone

Larger iPhone screen rumors continue

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If there’s anything we can count on in life, it’s iPhone rumors. They’re becoming the new “death and taxes.” It seems that the moment Apple launches their latest smartphone, stories about what the next one will feature immediately begin to surface.

While each impending iPhone release many of the same stories, such as fingerprint technology, new ones get added to the mix all the time. And despite the many tales circulating about new smartphone developments, there’s no rumor more buzz-worthy at the moment than the possibility of iPhones with different screen sizes being produced.

Taking cues from their major competitors, including Samsung, it is possible that Apple may be venturing into “phablet” territory. Phablets, of course, are those giant devices that are bigger than the average smartphone yet still smaller than a tablet. Samsung already established itself as a producer of phablets well over two years ago, with the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2 and 5-inch Galaxy S4 being their most current models.

However, research shows that consumers want to have their cake and eat it too; they want an iPhone, but they also want a phablet. If the rumors are true, those of us who are loyal to “Team Apple” but still crave a larger smartphone just might be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Screen size changes are just one of many differences in Apple products in the post-Jobs era. Steve Jobs memorably claimed the traditional 3.5-inch iPhone screen was “the perfect size for consumers” being easy to grip while still large enough to feature a decently sized and high-quality display. After his passing, however, Apple launched the iPhone 5 with a slightly larger, 4-inch screen. Despite this growth, it still remains one of the smaller smartphones on the market at present.

While specifications of Apple products always change right up until the last moment, and prototypes are constantly altered, the rumor that’s sticking is that the computing giant will launch both 4.7 inch and 5.7-inch iPhone models next year. 4.7 inches, of course, is in line with the standard size of Android phones, while 5.7 inches would outdo even the chunky Samsung Note.

But besides being bigger, what other changes could larger iPhone screens bring? Some people in the know claim the next generation iPhone, currently referred to as either the 5s or the 6, could improve on retina display technology and come equipped with a beefed-up, 12-megapixel camera. At the same time, it has also been stated that a larger screen may possibly translate to decreased brightness, resolution quality and battery life.

With all indications being that the new iPhone is unlikely to be released until at least October, all we can do is speculate and wait. Are you giving much merit to the rumors about bigger iPhones? Would an Apple phablet essentially be an iPad mini with a phone? And are you keen to see Apple compete with other phablet manufacturers, or are you happy with the current 3.5-inch iPhone 4s and 4-inch iPhone 5?

iPad

iPad vs. iPad Mini

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If you’re considering buying an iPad, you’ve got quite a few options open to you. They range from simple – choosing between black and white – to more complicated – 16GB, 32GB or 64GB? Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus 3G? But perhaps the most thought provoking question for some is whether to pick a regular iPad or an iPad Mini. Both have their advantages, so, which one might suit you best?

The current “regular” iPad model is 9.7 inches and comes at a starting price of $499.00. In contrast, the iPad Mini is just 7.9 inches and starts at $329.00. Size and price are two of the biggest factors in deciding which to go for.

The iPad Mini, being smaller, is also lighter and much more portable. It can easily fit into the pocket of a knapsack or even a handbag and hardly be noticed. Its compact size makes it easy to use with one hand and ideal for reading on. That being said, the regular iPad is still thin, lightweight and portable.

It’s also worth noting that if size and price are your sticking points, the iPad Mini is still a fully featured iPad. It uses the same apps and offers the same features, just in a tinier package.

Or perhaps the technical specifications are more important to you than size or price? If that’s the case, it’s worth noting that the iPad has a faster processor than the Mini. It also boasts Apple’s new retina screen, which is sharper than the display on a 1080P television.

Another factor in determining which iPad to purchase is what you plan on using it for. If you’re after a portable entertainment device that is ideal for playing simple games, watching video and reading on, then the Mini is a great choice. It’s bigger than your iPhone, making it easier to see.

There are a few drawbacks to the iPad Mini, although they may not matter to some. It’s not as easy to type on as a full-sized iPad, although it is still completely capable if you choose to use iWork and type emails on it. Furthermore, since there are still websites in existence that aren’t optimized for mobile devices, you may encounter sites that require you to do a lot of scrolling in order to navigate them. If that doesn’t matter to you and you don’t see yourself using it to work on frequently, then an iPad Mini should be a perfect fit.

If you do intend to check email, use iWork and complete other work-related tasks on your iPad, you’ll like want to opt for the regular version. It’s ideal for productivity and in some ways can be used as a laptop replacement. It’s also much better for web browsing and offers greater visibility and clearer text size than the Mini.

Before you rush out and purchase your new gadget, carefully consider what you’ll use it for most often and how much you can afford to spend. With those questions answered, you’ll have an easier time picking between the iPad and the iPad Mini. There are certainly merits to both.

iPad

Apple may be testing larger iPad

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Smartphones, tablets, and now even phablets – there is no denying that mobile computing devices are hot items that have changed the way we work, socialize and share information.

Manufacturers are constantly working on creating newer, better devices that offer more features in a variety of different sizes. We have the iPhone 4s, the bigger iPhone 5, a wide range of Android phone sizes, especially from companies like Samsung, tablets like the iPad, iPad Mini and Galaxy Tab and even phone-tablet crossover “phablets” like the Galaxy Note.

With the emphasis on having a device that is both incredibly high-tech and still very portable, is there room in the market for larger devices? In years past the emphasis was on creating smaller and smaller cell phones, but now the opposite seems to be true.

In that regard, it is rumored that in addition to various iPhone sizes, the iPad and the new iPad Mini, Apple may be testing an even larger, 13-inch iPad. Could the super sized tablet be a reality? And is there a market for it?

According to reliable sources at the Wall Street Journal, a 12.9-inch prototype iPad is being tested by Apple at the moment. But before any Apple fans who’d favor the larger tablet get too excited, it’s important to keep in mind that the computing giant tests many different prototype devices before a select few make it into production and are launched to the public.

It is believed that, if chosen to be put into the marketplace, the “mega iPad” will feature retina display and in-cell touch technology, making it thinner and lighter. That would balance the larger overall size nicely. But despite the technology to make it lighter and thinner, would a big iPad be hard to handle? The current model is 9.7 inches, with the Mini at 7.9 inches.

Perhaps a “mega iPad” could be seen as a tablet-laptop hybrid, similar to the Lenovo Yoga. Apple CEO Tim Cooks believes that consumers are after, and even expect, larger screens, bucking that trend from the early 2000s for smaller and smaller devices. Having larger, yet portable, technology could provide the public with the proper photo color, white balance, reflectivity, brightness, longevity of display and battery life they’re after, according to Cook.

For Apple, a third size of tablet would be another step in the right direction towards competing with companies like Samsung, their main rivals. If the “mega iPad” is released to the public, it could be as soon as late Fall 2013, after the new iPhone 5s, the rumored iPhone “light” and possibly the Apple phablet device.

Only time will tell if Tim Cook and Apple decide to release the 12.9-inch iPad. In addition, only more time will determine if a bigger iPad will be as popular as the original, or anything else Apple has released in the last few years. While the iPad Mini has been fairly popular, there will still critics who questioned whether there was any point to it. It’s likely there will be those who question the usefulness of a bigger version as well.

News

iCloud Keychain: The Latest in Password Management

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Imagine you’re shopping online using your MacBook when you get called away from your desk. Later in the day, you’re waiting for an appointment and have a moment to wrap up the task. You pull out your iPhone and pick up where you left off, with the website password and even your credit card number synced securely for your convenience. It’s possible with the new iCloud Keychain.

Amidst the many exciting bits of news that came out of the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference last week was an announcement about the new iCloud Keychain, a password manager for Safari. While it didn’t generate a lot of immediate buzz, this latest development has the potential to significantly impact consumer habits online.

For those of us who utilize iCloud across different Apple devices, the addition of the iCloud Keychain is welcome news. It is yet another way to keep synced and organized, regardless of whether we’re using our MacBooks or our iPads.

iCloud Keychain has a number of remarkable features. It will store and sync website login data, credit card numbers and even preferred Wi-Fi networks and their passwords, across all systems. It can even auto-fill information in online forms.

In an era where we all have more login credentials than we can easily manage, we are scared off the practice of using one password for everything (or even worse, writing our passwords down somewhere.) Yet studies show two thirds of North Americans still use the same password for multiple websites and services, leaving them vulnerable to phishing attacks. In this regard, iCloud Keychain will make our technology-driven lives a little easier. It will even generate and suggest new passwords for users, then store and use them from that point on, if preferred.

iCloud Keychain is Apple’s answer to services like LastPass or 1Password, which integrate with browsers across devices, enabling subscribers to access all their accounts once they’ve entered a master password. The main advantage over competitors’ products, of course, is that iCloud Keychain is free.

Not only is it free, it’s safe, too. To keep your most sensitive data secure, it utilizes 256-bit AES encryption, only syncs on trusted devices, and doesn’t store credit card security codes.