Real-Time Collaboration – Create stunning documents together from anywhere.
The objective of this project was to create a component that can apply to all iWork applications (Keynote, Pages, and Numbers) for users to collaborate with others real time.
Business: In recent times, collaboration has become a ubiquitous aspect of work culture, and users have increasingly sought tools that facilitate seamless teamwork. Although there are numerous collaboration tools available, iWork was a relatively late entrant into the productivity and collaboration software market.
Users: The integration of iWork into business and educational environments has been instrumental in enhancing productivity and knowledge dissemination. One of the most significant improvements in iWork is its collaboration feature, which has been pivotal in boosting work efficiency and facilitating information sharing among teams. For iWork to continue to be a valuable tool, it is imperative to develop a collaboration tool that is universally accessible, irrespective of location or platform..
Goal: Our primary objective was to develop a tool that enables users to collaborate in real-time seamlessly. Additionally, we aimed to create a platform that simplifies the process of producing visually appealing documents, making it effortless to share them with others.
Platform Compatibility: With the prevalence of multiple computing devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more, our users frequently use several devices throughout their workday. Unfortunately, there is a lack of collaboration tools that can operate seamlessly across multiple platforms, making it difficult for users to maintain productivity and teamwork.
Access and Permissions: Despite users' inclination towards sharing and collaborating with others, they remain apprehensive about their documents being accessed or modified by unauthorized individuals. This concern hinders the adoption of collaborative tools as users fear losing control over their work.
Real-Time Status: When working collaboratively, users prioritize having real-time access to edits and insights into the identities of their collaborators. Additionally, users seek to manage changes effectively and provide instantaneous feedback. However, latency in the cloud may result in syncing and performance problems, creating a significant obstacle to seamless collaboration.
This was one of my first projects after I joined Apple. It was also the #1 priority for Apple's Consumer Applications Group. I spent two years, led the design effort and worked with development teams including the collarboration core team, cloud document team, Keynote app team, Pages app team, Numbers app team. I also acted as a liason and worked closely with the icloud team and Mac OS team within the Apple design organization.