Upon introducing the new version of its productivity suite of apps, iWork ’09, Apple also confirmed the existence of a new iPhone / iPod touch app in the iTunes App Store. Keynote Remote integrates with Apple's Keynote application (part of the iWork suite) and lets users control their slides remotely, via the handheld device. Since Keynote Remote works over a Wi-Fi network, users can switch between slides and advance through sheets from pretty much anywhere in the keynote premises.

As revealed by the company behind Mac OS X, Keynote ’09 introduces several new features, such as Magic Move, which allows you to apply a simple transition to automatically animate the position, scale, rotation and opacity of any image, graphic or text that is repeated on consecutive slides. Additionally, new text transition functionality morphs text from one slide to the next, with advanced object transitions assisting users in animating objects off one slide while simultaneously animating objects onto the next slide. Also announced by Apple was that 3D charts would include cylinder shapes, beveled-edge pie charts, fresh textures and four new 3D build effects.

With all this new functionality, a Keynote Remote application was definitely in order. Sold separately through the App Store ($0.99), the utility lets you view slides, presenter notes etc., and control your presentation with your iPhone or iPod touch.

“Keynote Remote lets you use your iPhone or iPod touch to control your presentation from anywhere in the room using Wi-Fi,” Apple says. “See your slide with notes or both the current slide and the next slide in the palm of your hand. Just swipe to advance,” the company proudly describes the process.

According to the same description, main features of the Keynote Remote application include:

– Control your Keynote presentation
– Swipe to advance or return to the previous slide
– See presenter notes on your iPhone or iPod touch
– Preview your next slide in landscape mode
– Pair your iPhone or iPod touch to any Mac with Keynote ’09.

Interested parties should note that Keynote Remote requires Keynote ’09 - an application that is part of the iWork ’09 suite. Also, you will need a working Wi-Fi connection between your iPhone / iPod touch and your Mac.

Download Keynote Remote via iTunes App Store ($0.99)
(requires an iPhone or iPod touch running firmware 2.0 or later)