iWork update brings back custom toolbars, keyboard shortcuts

Back in October, Apple had announced that it had completely redesigned its iWork suite of apps, complete with a new user interface and 64-bit compatibility. The changes included an all-new design on mobile and a total re-write of the desktop versions. Subsequent reports, though, indicated that the brand new versions came without a few features that users missed.

In response to user complaints, Apple issued a list of capabilities that it would add back to iWork via software updates over the next six months, including customisable toolbars, auto-complete in Numbers and keyboard shortcuts for applying styles in Pages. The first of those promised updates is now out for individual apps on the App Store, and brings back a few missing links.

No longer missing

First off, Pages, Numbers and Keynote for OS X get back their custom toolbars. Pages for OS X will also come with its center and edge guides on by default. Numbers for OS X will now preserve the user’s Window size and placement in save. You can also set the default zoom via Preferences. Apple’s Keynote presentation app for both desktop and iOS has had some new builds and slide transitions integrated. There are also a bunch of stability improvements and bug fixes across Pages for iOS, Numbers for iOS and Keynote for iOS.

The application suite, apart from a complete overhaul, is now integrated with iCloud. Along with iWork, iLife creativity apps like iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband were also revamped. And Apple did not stop there, offering both iWork and iLife for free with the purchase of any new Mac or iOS device. Some of the biggest changes were seen in Garageband for Mac, including a new look, new Sound Library and features like Drummer and Smart Control. Both iWork and iLife are available for download on their respective app stores.