The iWorks applications on iPad are mostly there to replace similar programs on desktop computers, like PowerPoint, Word and Excel. I chose to work with Pages and compare it to Word for this week's TECH assignment. So here are a few things about Pages that I found were similar to Word, and one thing that is notably different in a good way.
Similarities:
1. The Interface. Pages' interface is almost a direct copy/paste from Word. You have many of the same buttons, from choosing your text size/style to printing options. If you're familiar with the way that Word works, the Pages version of word processing software will feel instantly familiar.
2. Pages also includes many of the same templates for the different types of documents you would like to create. In this way, it mirrors the Word startup page in which it asks you to select a template before you begin to work.
3. The tools. Any tool you have at your disposal in Word can be found here in Pages, as well. I was unable to find anywhere that Pages was lacking in comparison in my short time with the application. In fact, Pages offers a few things that most versions of Word do not... including...
Differences:
1. Speech to text conversion. While some versions of Word may or may not have this feature, it is completely dependent on whether or not your PC has a built in mic, or if you have one sufficient enough to use. This is not a concern on the iPad, as they come with built in microphones to detect your voice. While there are a few hiccups here and there when using this feature, as long as one speaks clearly and at an even pace, Pages will write whatever you're saying.
2. Touch. Unless you are using Word on another tablet, Pages offers touch control features that Word doesn't have. It actually makes the interface a bit more enjoyable and easy to use than the traditional point-and-click mouse input does.
Well done
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