Was wondering why Apple hasn't developed....

a complete office suite? Especially something that would be compatable with Microsoft Office. Also, did Microsoft and Apple stop collaborating together (IE and Office)??

Just a bit of conjecture, but I would say - why would they? Microsoft Office, the de facto standard in the industry runs on Macs - and even if you didn't want to run Microsoft, you could always use Open Office. Why waste resources on doing something that's already been done several times over.

This is probably the same reasoning for dropping development of AppleWorks.

Apple and Microsoft have never actually collaborated together on there software. Microsoft has as Mac division that stopped development on IE a few years ago. There primary focus is on Office now

OTOH, iWork07 is reported to have a spreadsheet program. That would give iWork (plus the mail, address book, and calendar features built into OS X) all of the functionality from Office ... or at least, the version of Office that most people use.

The lack of seamless Office file format compatibility is what really keeps the Apple suite from going anywhere.

AppleWorks is a complete office suite. Admittedly they didn't develop it as such (it used to be ClarisWorks until Apple bought it) but there was a complete Apple office suite available.

I think the reasons for cutting back are purely commercial. If a 'real' version of MS Office (the PC de-facto standard) works on Macs, all the more chance of getting switchers. Why push MS out of the market by providing an apple only alternative when the existence of MS Office for macs make switching much less painful for those dependent on it?

I would have to agree with all the responses thus far. I would also add that I think Apple has a little more sense in the matter. MS Office is the industry leader in its field. MS Office is compatible and has versions that will work with both Mac and Windows systems respectively. There is little to no need for anyone to create something to compete with or be compatible with it. Why try to put something out there that will only serve to confuse some people, offer a choice that isn't likely to get many sales in comparison, and end up potentially costing more to develop than a company would likely receive in profit from sales?

Sure they have iWork, but that is not a "full fledged" alternative. It can do some basic word processing and let you make a slideshow presentation. I am sure they will update it, and add a few more features here and there, but I doubt that they will ever intend iWork to become an actual competitor or alternative for MS Office.

Wow - a lot of things to think about - thanks to all for the great info. Appreciate you all!

what i see of apple software in my short experience is that they tend to try to integrate apps together and into the OS.

why wouldn't they at least make a light word and spreadsheet program that comes with ilife that works like itunes, iphoto, etc. one that not so much competes with ms office, but uses the same standard document types and puts an apple twist on it.

integrate a diary and/or blog feature into the 'word' program. integrate the spreadsheet program into other apps so you can easily port raw data (system resources, itunes play counts, etc) into easy to read spreadsheets or graphs - sort of how sharepoint does, if you're at all familiar with that.

of course the layout and tools would have to be uniquely mac, but keep formatting completelyin tune with office.

why not?