14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is encouraging developers to start testing iCloud’s sync abilities with the release of newly updated Keynote, Pages, and Numbers iOS applications, as well as a new iteration of iPhoto for Mac OS X.
iWork for iOS beta is integrated with Apple’s Documents in the Cloud feature and can only be used by downloading and installing the apps manually.
On the Developer site, those enrolled with Apple’s program can download and mount an iWork for iOS Beta DMG file to their desktop, drag and drop the resulted apps to their iTunes library, and sync to install.
Testers must then enable iCloud, either by selecting ‘Use iCloud’ when prompted, or by accessing the same option in the settings menu.
Apple describes the Documents in the Cloud function as follows:
"Apps make it possible to create amazing presentations, write reports, and more right from your iOS device. You don’t have to manage your documents in a complicated file system or remember to save your work. Your documents are just there, stored in your apps, and ready whenever you need them. And now, your apps can store that information in iCloud. Which means you can access your documents — with your latest updates — on whichever device you happen to be using at the time. Even better, this all happens automatically, without any effort from you."
Developers who are more eager to test out iPhoto with the new Photo Stream feature must download iPhoto 9.2 beta 2 for Mac OS X.
It is unclear whether or not the service requires the latest version of Apple’s Mac OS (Lion), but it is reasonable to assume it does.
The Cupertino, California technology giant urges developers to note that this beta version of iPhoto will replace their existing (stable) iPhoto build, therefore a test-only machine is recommended.
“The iPhoto update will replace your current version of iPhoto. It is strongly recommended that you work on a test/development system ONLY when using this release,” the warning reads.
Apple also explains that this release will not open libraries created using the first iPhoto developer release, but that testers can create a new library or open an existing library created in an earlier version of the application.
As usual, developers need to be careful to make a backup copy of their content before proceeding with the installation of iPhoto 9.2 beta 2.
“You will not be able to revert the system to an earlier version of iPhoto without doing a clean install of Mac OS X and reinstalling iPhoto either from your original installation DVD or by downloading from the Mac App Store,” another warning reads.
“Please note that libraries from this developer release will be incompatible with earlier versions of iPhoto,” adds Apple.
