Guessing Game: When Will iWork Apps Become Universal?

Peculiar web links and alleged screenshots seem to suggest that Apple's iWork suite is poised to go universal and function across all iOS4 devices including the iPhone 4. iWork includes the Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps. Currently the iPad version of each app is sold separately for $9.99.

Engadget first reported the following message exists for unlocked iPhone 4 buyers in Australia, Canada and the UK that inquire about the AppleCare Protection Plan. When users click on the "Learn More" link on the main plan page, the message includes a reference to "iWork for iPhone."

Then, 9 to 5 Mac released a number of screenshots, apparently of the universal version of the Pages and Numbers apps. Similar shots of Apple's Keynote app weren't included. The shots certainly look like those that would exist on an iPhone 4, but the authenticity of the "leaked" screenshots have been called into question. PC Magazine concluded that the photos were fakes, saying:

"But small flaws in the screenshots posted by 9 to 5 Mac make them unconvincing candidates to be real depictions of the iWork suite for iPhone. There are some inconsistencies in the design of the Pages app, as several commentators point in 9 to 5 Mac's gallery. Some of the icons are not properly aligned, and fonts in the templates depicted do not match the iPad version. In the screenshots, the same "Cancel" button is depicted in two different colors throughout the gallery, another sign that the images could be fake. There are also some inconsistencies in the wording in the screenshots, something that Apple, with its attention to detail, would be unlikely to let through."

Whether these latest claims, "leaks" or the like are real or not, we can still expect that iWork apps will indeed come to the iPhone 4 eventually.  Despite some obvious omissions in the iPad versions (compared to each app's Mac equivalent), all have been great sellers in the App Store. It won't take much to modify the iPad versions and make each app universal. A big question remains: How useful would each app be for most consumers? Sure, it is possible to draft a letter or edit a spreadsheet on the iPhone 4's screen (and existing third-party apps do just that). I still question the efficiency of doing so. The Retina display is amazing, but it still doesn't make the screen any bigger. Apple would be best served by ensuring documents created on the iPad are also easily accessed on the iPhone. Documents also need to be easily synced between both devices. Sure, this is already possible by using the iWork.com beta website, but it isn't a perfect solution. Another important point: if Numbers documents remain unable to export to Microsoft's more popular Excel format, serious compatibly limitations will still exist. We can probably expect more "leaks" and rumors regarding this subject until Apple actually does release universal versions of each of its iWork apps.  Until then...

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