Apple Keynote Presentation Software Review

Keynote is Apple’s answer to PowerPoint. It is part of Apple’s iWork productivity suite. The latest version now comes with iCloud capability which allows users to store files in the cloud while giving them instant access to this from a variety of Apple mobile devices. Keynote is compatible with PowerPoint, allowing Keynote users to import and edit files as necessary. Keynote leverages Apple’s various image and multimedia editing capabilities to create to its own brand of presentations.  

Features

Apple designed themes

Trace animation

Create custom data formats (2D and 3D chart animations)

Create free form shapes, curves and masks

Text and object based transitions

Import a variety of media files

Compatible with PowerPoint, import and export PowerPoint files

Magic Move tool for smoother animations and transitions

Support for iCloud Drive

Administrator settings

Compatibility

Keynote is now compatible with PowerPoint, so collaborating on presentations with PowerPoint users will not be an issue. We knew it was just a matter of time but Keynote is now compatible with Apple’s iCloud Drive. Presentations are now stored inside your iCloud account more particularly the Keynote folder. You can also access this directly from your desktop by opening the iCloud Drive folder.

The ability to store presentations over iCloud makes your presentation accessible to other iOS devices.  This can be very useful l. While presentations are easier to create on your desktop, most presentations are done on other Apple devices such as an iPad. This gives users the convenience of bringing their presentations on a handy device even on the go.

Keynote was designed for Apple users in mind. And although it allows users to transfer files to Microsoft’s PowerPoint, there is no guarantee that all animations and graphics will function properly.  PowerPoint is compatible with Keynote but the latter is not which can be an issue with non-Mac users.

Ease of Use

Previous Keynote users will be surprised at the scarcity of controls at the toolbar. But this is just part of the cosmetic changes that the new version has undergone. But a careful look reveals that all controls are still present but this have been renamed or renamed. Notice how controls have been placed in a single window and how the Inspector is now located at the right sidebar. Cool features such as color changes that indicate current operations. The layout is so much friendlier, with controls clearly indicated and labeled.

Pricing

Keynote is part of the iWork suite and comes free with any Mac purchase. Old Mac users will be pleased to know that a free upgrade is also available. You can download the software from the App Store. Old versions are automatically save in a folder labeled iWork 09.

Summary – Keynote Presentation Software

The great thing about Keynote is that the presentation software is absolutely free. The downside, it only available for Apple users so that eliminates the great majority of presentation software users. It is compatible with PowerPoint allowing you to upload files but sadly only goes one way. For die hard Apple users however, Keynote does an excellent job in creating a capable presentation software for both new and professional users.