14 DAY TRIAL // Reliable sources told 9to5mac that Apple’s iWork suite of office applications is moving into the Cloud, as is iMovie, becoming full-fledged web applications. Besides online storage, there will be a web interface for iWork apps, such as Numbers, Pages and Keynote, the leaked information says.
The source of the rumor doesn't mention the transition to the Cloud as a surprise, but rather as a logical step for Apple who actually hinted at this scenario a while ago. Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs himself noted in the past that “The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services. And learn we will,” he said in a statement. “The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year.”
As many of you know, MobileMe automatically pushes new email, contacts, and calendar events to your Mac, PC, iPhone and iPod touch and other mobile devices. The software was designed by Apple to make sure all your information stays up to date, everywhere. MobileMe also provides support for push email, calendar, and contacts on your iPhone and any computer. The changes you make on one device are automatically "pushed" to the MobileMe "cloud," then back to every device you use. Going by the latest rumor, Apple is now expanding the Cloud service to applications that are currently used offline only.
However, this raises a few questions only Apple will be able to answer as Phil Schiller takes the stage at Macworld 2009, Apple's last appearance at the popular trade show. Some of those question are “will the apps keep all of their offline functionality”, “is iWork going to integrate with the iPhone and iPod touch”, “are there going to be headaches as the service kicks off” (like with the .Mac transition to MobileMe) and so on.