Starting today, all those with a registered Apple ID will have access to the iWork beta for iCloud. The new release comes just over a week after Apple unleashed a beta version of iOS 7 that included updates to iCloud.com. iWork is an iCloud-based app that–along with Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and Find My iPhone– is free to users.
For those who don’t know, iWork is Apple’s office suite for the cloud used to create new documents while having other docs available at hand for use, ŕ la Google Drive.
Adding to the new availability is the app’s convenience, as Mac Rumors notes “The web services work on both Mac and Windows computers in various browsers with support for Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer, as well as mobile devices.”
According to Apple Insider, iCloud is expected to go fully live sometime this fall likely alongside iOS 7 and a number of new gadgets at Apple’s supposed September 10 press event. Keep in mind, though, that Apple hasn’t confirmed a single thing. Adding to this likelihood is the simple fact that iCloud sports the similar design overhaul made specially for Apple’s flagship mobile operating system.
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The entire UI of iOS 7 shifts on an axis when physically shifted by the user in order to give the best possible viewing angle. Even better is that this feature extends beyond the home screen and occurs with all apps.
The comprehensive redesign also includes the new unlock screen with rounded numerals, multiple pages for each app, cleaner typography all around, full screen edge-to-edge photos, ability to swipe between messages or apps, the notifications center available directly from lock screen, and “today view” which shows all that’s on tap for the day from all information saved in iCloud and in your calendar.
Safari for iOS 7 appears to be multifunctional as well, allowing for more than the previous 8-tabs open at once, easily navigabale swiping cues, and improved bookmarking for easy access.
Finally with iOS 7, Apple will have an answer to the naysayers who thought its mobile operating system was dead in the water without NFC capability. AirDrop shows users which friends are in close proximity and makes items easy to share anything–photos, articles, documents, social media, etc.–with multiple friends at once. No need to worry about security either as AirDrop will use securely encrypted peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.
The camera feature will offer a slew of new filters for amateur photographers to salivate over, while the photo app helps to easily manage and share pics, organize photos in albums, and pull out interesting and patterned images that might be of interest to the user.
