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iWork for iCloud is now available to everyone

Published Feb 27th, 2015 7:45AM EST
iwork for icloud free
Image: Screenshot

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Apple on Thursday updated its main iCloud website such that anyone, even users who don’t own an Apple device, can access Apple’s entire suite of iWork productivity software, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for free. Previously, such access was limited to Apple’s iCloud Beta website.

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Initially introduced at WWDC 2013, iWork for iCloud allows users to create, edit, and share documents, presentations, and spreadsheets directly from within a web browser. For anyone nervous about leaving the comfy confines of Microsoft Office behind, it’s worth noting that documents created in Pages are fully compatible with Microsoft Word.

Users who sign up for Apple’s web-based iWork software are given 1 GB of storage to work with. If you set up an iCloud account and happen to have an iOS device of a Mac, you get 5 GB of storage.

TechCrunch adds:

Offering up the productivity suite to all users, regardless of platform choice, is a fairly unusual move for Apple, but it’s also a smart one – providing free cloud-based productivity software is a pretty low-stakes additional incentive for attracting new iCloud users, especially those who aren’t currently in possession of any actual Apple hardware.

Indeed, with the vast majority of Apple’s revenue coming by way of iOS and Mac sales, Apple has much to gain by expanding the reach and appeal of its software ecosystem. Historically, Apple has reaped the benefits of providing software and services for free and cashing in on resulting hardware sales; the iTunes/iPod juggernaut being the most obvious example.

An Apple FAQ on iWork for iCloud can be viewed over here.

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.