iCloud web apps don’t allow for iWork document editing

Many hoped that Apple’s iCloud web apps would offer a fully functional version of iWork, but it doesn’t seem likely for the service’s initial launch, according to a demo video recorded by a iOS developer today.

True to its description, the iCloud.com storage service will store documents created on Apple’s iWork office application suite. However, it doesn’t allow its users to edit documents directly from the iCloud web apps.

Currently, the iCloud site acts as a web portal for all iWork documents created on an iOS device. You can begin a document on a mobile device and eventually transfer it to a desktop computer to view, edit and finish. (And vice versa)

You can convert files to a variety of different formats when downloading them on another computer, which is actually pretty helpful for managing documents on the go. The video also shows off iCloud’s quick response time between viewing document alterations in the cloud.

I’ve used the iWork apps in the past, and for the most part I’ve been very pleased with usability. But Google Docs is still a far easier solution for document collaboration and Microsoft’s Office 365 suite is not far behind. But until Apple offers a fully functional web app, I doubt the iCloud storage will get much attention by the majority of people.

Via 9 to 5 Mac

Check out the iCloud.com Beta demo video by NatesTechUpdate.