Apple Releases iWork '09 Update 3

By updating its Downloads section with iWork '09 Update 3, Apple has informed users of its productivity suite that the latest update addresses general compatibility issues, and improves the overall stability, while updating the help of all three included applications – Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. iWork 9.0.3 is a free update to all users of iWork '09, and a recommended one at that.

Via its Support / Downloads division, Apple bluntly describes the latest update to iWork.

About iWork 9.0.3

This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, updates the help, and fixes a number of other minor issues in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The issues addressed include:
- Reducing file size of images that have Instant Alpha applied;
- Managing file size when inserting some movies;
- Working with dates and durations in the Chart Data Editor in Keynote and Pages;
- Exporting to CSV from Numbers when using table categories.

Improvements to comment notification and security in iWork.com Beta are also included in this update.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as iWork 9.0.3 is concerned. There is a reason why this update is recommended to all users of iWork '09. Apple details this in an additional Support tech note, revealing that there are several individual application changes to be had with the 9.0.3 update.

Taking users to Support article HT3681, the company behind the Mac operating system lists changes for all iWork '09 applications, as well as individual changes for Keynote, Pages and Numbers. For example, the latest version of Keynote improves the reliability of guides by changing the display frequency and relevance, resolves an issue with GarageBand exports, and fixes a problem when working with Move actions in chart builds, just to name a few Keynote 5.0.3 enhancements.

Pages 4.0.3 not only resolves an issue where copying and pasting multiple cells containing duration or date/time values in the Chart Data Editor would only paste zeros, but also improves reliability when working with objects in Full-Screen mode. A couple of additional changes are also listed in Support article HT3681.

Lastly, Numbers 2.0.3 fixes an issue with columns and categorized checkboxes, addresses a problem with categories and the CSV export, and improves reliability of the import and export of some Microsoft Excel files, to enumerate three of the nine changes included with the update.

Even iWork (web) beta testers are going to experience a few changes. Apple lists the following enhancements for those enlisted in the iWork.com Beta:

- Enhances security with 128-bit SSL encryption and document password protection;
- Improves document reviewing capabilities with Comment notification features;
- E-mail invitations are now sent via iWork.com instead of using Mac OS X Mail.

Download iWork 9.0.3 (Update / Trial / Buy)