iOS 7 Beta Suggests iWork, iLife iOS Apps May Soon Be Free

A welcome screen discovered in the iOS 7 beta suggests that Apple's iWork and iLife iOS applications may be available for free when the OS launches this fall, according to German site ifun [Google Translate].

The download screen is similar to this one that was discovered in the iOS 6 beta last year. It encourages customers to download free Apple apps to "get the most out of your iPhone."

Appleapps
iPhoto and iMovie are available on the App Store for $4.99 each, while Pages, Numbers and Keynote are $9.99. GarageBand is missing from the screen, but there is no reason to think it would not go free as well.

The launch of iWork for iCloud at WWDC in June suggested that iWork could become free, as no pricing was mentioned at the show. Offering Apple's polished iWork and iLife applications for free -- much like iLife apps have always been free with the purchase of a new Mac -- would be a strong differentiator for the iPhone and iPad.

Related Forum: iOS 7

Top Rated Comments

talmy Avatar
129 months ago
It sure would be nice if there were new versions of iWork for OS X apps coming out, and also free.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
129 months ago
Each app's value already far exceeds its current cost. Totally unnecessary to make them free. All the more impressive and awesome if this happens.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LastLine Avatar
129 months ago
I own all six, so a little gutting, but it's a good move :)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menel Avatar
129 months ago
Makes sense.

If they are going to have the web apps, that are included with iCloud free, like MS SkyDrive and GoogleDrive, it would be silly if they weren't accessible on mobile.

Also a huge boon to education systems which are pushing iPads to students.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
820647 Avatar
129 months ago
But it doesn't differentiate as all of Google's drive apps are free
Yes but iWork contains more powerful applications that stemmed from OS X and not the browser.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rockosmodurnlif Avatar
129 months ago
Free productivity suite, cheaper plastic phone, Maps everywhere ... what's Apple becoming? Google?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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