While all big smartphone and operating system makers develop and maintain their own OS eco-systems, the need for seamless integration between all the platforms is what most users usually cry out for.
Linking one eco-system to another isn't usually a big hit with developers, but it seems like Apple might have some good news.
According to reports, Apple is opening up access to its iWork suite of productivity apps to users who don't necessarily own an iPhone or a Mac. Apple is turning its iWork suite of apps into a product accessible to Internet users on any device, making in similar to the likes of Google Docs.
Earlier, users were required to own at least one Apple device to use Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
With the new system in place, you will now be able to get an Apple ID and access the apps without needing your own Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
Users will require an Apple ID before they can use word processor Pages, spreadsheet app Numbers, and Powerpoint-like Keynote.
Apple is now letting users sign up to a beta version of the service that will run on probably any compatible computer internet browser, irrespective of whether it was installed on a PC or a Mac.
Note that those who do sign up to use iWork for iCloud apps are entitled to get 1GB of free storage so they can save files in Apple's apps and get to access them across different devices, even if they only have access to Windows, Android, or Linux machines.
For now, though, the option to use the app is available if you sign up on iWork for iCloud's beta site.
However, that Apple has decided on a boundary-less use of it iWork apps shouldn't be surprising news. Over the last one year, Apple has been focusing more and more on what the company calls 'continuity.' This is nothing but the ability to seamlessly start doing something on one Apple device and complete the same task on another.
Apple had already made iWork's apps free-to-use in 2013. At that time, the company removed a host of compatibility issues from the apps, and also taook out a number of features from Pages, Numbers and Keynote at the same time.
And riding on that, all the three apps have traditionally been portrayed as less feature-rich services as compared to the programs in Google's Drive and Microsoft's Office suites. However, by making iWork truly multi-platform, Apple is up against market leaders.
Stay tuned for more updates!
