"iOffice" almost confirmed

**macosXrumors** · January 21st, 2003, 11:48 AM

For those who haven't guessed yet what's next after Keynote, here's what my latest sources report and some guesses about the Apple's branded office suite rumor I had initially posted in July 2002.

report here

**bjurusik** · January 21st, 2003, 01:13 PM

I think it's pretty obvious that this is what Apple is doing. Keynote against Powerpoint and Safari against Internet Explorer. I would say Apple just wants to cut all ties with Microsoft. With all this happening, the next year or two there is going to definitely be some tables turning. First is the hardware. Despite what people say, the G4 is on it's way out. I think Apple will go with either the 970 or G5, assuming it's released. With all this new software they are releasing, I really don't think they would go with anything but PPC, when the software would have to be rewrote and released for any other platform. And maybe the purpose of all this new software is to act as a distraction from the hardware ... and then during the last 5 minutes of the July MacWorld Jobs will introduce the dual G5/970 2Ghz PowerMac.

But in all reality, Apple is a company interested in making money and making the best possible products. They know where they stand and they know what they have to do to get ahead. They've probably been testing new processors for the past couple years and are just waiting it for it to be just right. OK, I'll end my rant now.

**ccuilla** · January 21st, 2003, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by bjurusik
With all this new software they are releasing, I really don't think they would go with anything but PPC, when the software would have to be rewrote and released for any other platform.

Actually, this is not true. They would be able to cross-compile, use "fat binaries" to support multiple chip architectures.

**powermac** · January 21st, 2003, 05:20 PM

It will be Apple works on steroids!!

**sheepguy42** · January 21st, 2003, 05:31 PM

I doubt it will be called "iOffice" since Keynote is not free, and the other apps (if they come) most likely will also not be free, and all the iApps are free. However, this could be done in conjunction with a new version of AppleWorks that is a little better integrated (but still just a maintenance release); AppleWorks would still be bundled with the consumer machines, and maybe the new Office-like package could be bundled with the pro machines. The lack of a full-featured word processor compatible with Word on the pro machines is on of the more common complaints of switchers, from what I hear.

**mfsri** · January 21st, 2003, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by sheepguy42
...and all the iApps are free.

All iApps are not free. iDVD will be $50

michael
http://osblue.com

**sheepguy42** · January 21st, 2003, 05:48 PM

iDVD is free on machines with a Superdrive, at least whatever version that was there when you bought the machine. The "not having as a free download" is done for the same reason that 10.1 was not downloadable (even though many got the upgrade CD for free one way or another): it is huge. Too huge to download, because Apple doesn't want their servers locked up with multi-hours-long badwidth-sucking downloads. It makes sens; Apple is just handling the update distribution differently. This way, your new iApps are on a separate disc, and you can install them as you wish. Since my cube is on dialup, I will most likely pay the $50 even though I can't use iDVD.