Should Apple challenge Google by making iWork a free Web suite?
Recently, many have been speculating whether or not Apple will take some of its productivity applications online to make them available to a wider group of people. But Google already has a pretty strong grip on the free Web-app market. Would Apple benefit by making a completely free, Web-based application suite like that of Google Docs?
I don’t know about you, but personally I really enjoy using iWork. I spent quite a bit of time playing with the different applications while in college. But there are problems.
My largest problem with iWork is that it isn’t completely consistent when transferring documents to and from other, more accepted applications such as Word or Excel. That isn’t really Apple’s fault; just like it’s hard to get many schools on board with Apple applications and formatting styles, Apple shouldn’t necessarily be responsible for making compatibility work just so.
But it’s kept me at times from using Apple applications. This might change if Apple were to make iWork free and Web-based in that more people would be able to use it, and thus be more accepting and knowledgeable of the differences. That’s definitely in Apple’s favor.
Putting iWork online would also allow people to experience some of Apple’s quality, which might entice them to purchase Macs or other Apple hardware. At this point, besides word of mouth or commercials, Apple doesn’t have a bridge to helping people experience the Apple quality. Customers must actually visit an Apple location to try Apple stuff hands-on. If Apple created a free Web suite, it might see increased adoption of its computers and products.
In regards to challenging Google’s dominance of the free Web suite space, I would offer this: though Google Docs is a fantastic way to share, create and manage documents from any location, it isn’t perfect. Creating a normal text document, for instance, in such a way so that it is formatted as teachers or employers want, isn’t easy. Google Docs is convenient, but there’s room for improvement.
If Apple could port iWork to the Web while ensuring that it retains the same simplicity and power it currently holds, Apple could benefit tremendously.
But that might not be Apple’s style. I’ve always thought that Steve Jobs enjoys the elitism of his creations, and wouldn’t want to taint it by making it available to everyone for free. We can always dream, but I’m not sure we should hold our breath for a free, Web-based iWork.
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