MacWorld Keynote: iWork.com

I’ve just finished checking out all the coverage from Phil Schiller’s keynote and I have to say, I’m satisfied. Let’s take a look.

For those not familiar with the topic, Cloud Computing is a mixture of computer software and internet services. It allows you to do tasks on the internet that were once only doable on the desktop. There is already a strong number of examples of cloud computing: Google Docs, Google Gears, Windows Live Mesh and MobileMe (to an extent).

Here enters Apple once again, this time with iWork.com

iWork.com is a new service that will let iWork users to publish their work up to iWork.com. The idea is collaberation, helping you and your collegues/friends work together on a document. You can add in-line comments to either Numbers, Pages or Keynote documents, share ideas and thoughts all from your web browser.

This is fantastic because it makes iWork cross platform with no discrimination between operating systems. To drive this point home, Apple have done something very clever. When you upload your document, iWork.com transfers it into three file types: the default iWork file type, Microsoft Office format and also to PDF. Everyone’s happy! You can even view and manage your documents to see if any have unread comments.

The service is being release in beta today but Apple say the service will become a paid one in the future. I am hoping that it will also bundled with MobileMe, which seams sensible. This leaves people two options of paying for the service: stand alone and with MobileMe.

Looking forward to iWork.com? Leave a comment.