Hitting the 'publish' button before you're supposed to clearly isn't the preserve of Google employees, as an Apple worker over the weekend did exactly the same thing, revealing a couple of tidbits ahead of the tech giant's special event in San Francisco on Tuesday
Text that appeared briefly on the company’s Built-in Apps page Sunday suggests that from Tuesday Apple will launch a free version of its music-making GarageBand app (usual price $4.99) for all iOS 7 users, not just those with an iOS 7 device bought in the last couple of months.
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 5S and 5C last month, it also announced it’d start offering its other iLife and iWork apps – iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote – for free to buyers of either handset, as well as to those purchasing any other Apple device running iOS 7.
Although GarageBand will be offered as a free download, it looks as if some instruments will only be available via in-app purchases. According to Apple news site MacRumors, which spotted the page before it was taken down, the small print said:
“GarageBand is free on the App Store for all iOS 7 compatible devices; additional GarageBand instruments and sounds are available with an in-app purchase. iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are free on the App Store for qualifying iOS 7 compatible devices activated on or after September 1, 2013.”
MacRumors suggests the in-app purchase option is the Cupertino company’s way of dealing with some licensing issues associated with the software.
The page also revealed new iOS 7-themed icons for its range of iLife and iWork apps, shown below. These, too, have been taken down and replaced with the old iOS 6 icons, with Apple expected to officially unveil the new look, possibly with information on updates to its iLife and iWork software, on Tuesday.