Non-developers receiving iWork for iCloud invites

While the iWork for iCloud beta has been available for developers and those who logged in with the current beta software for about a month now, it looks like Apple has begun inviting non-developers to the online document editing program. Tipsters have sent us in emails from the company asking them to try out the services and send in feedback.

We’d like to invite you to be one of the first to try it, so we’re giving you early access to the iWork for iCloud beta. All you have to do is sign in to iCloud on a Mac or a PC using the current version of Safari, Chrome or Internet Explorer. Then just click on Pages, Numbers, or Keynote and you’re off.

Users that have received the invitation don’t need to visit beta.icloud.com – they can just use the regular icloud.com address.

Back in June, we posted a video review of iWork for iCloud:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_j0fi_q2o8&w=560&h=315]

We have also speculated that this free online software hints at the possibility of iWork for the Mac/iOS going free in the near future. The current version of iLife is included with the purchase of a new Mac, but the iWork apps are sold for $19.99 in the Mac App Store – and they usually sit in the first 10 slots of the Top Paid section. Going free would probably reduce the number of Office for Mac purchases, but many argue that it could lead users to expect even more free apps (and not want to pay for any of their software).

Thanks DJ and other tipsters.