GarageBand to arrive as free app for iOS 7 soon


Apple will soon be offering GarageBand as a free app for new iOS 7 devices, adding to other iLife and iWorks apps available as free downloads.


The new iOS 7 icons for the iLife and iWorks apps appeared on Apple’s Built-in Apps page for the iPhone 5S, and offered new information about the availability for GarageBand on new iOS 7 devices.


Apple has since reverted the page back to the original iOS 6 icons and information, but that didn’t stop MacRumours from spotting the change.


Along with the new iOS 7 icon designs for apps like iPhoto and iMovie, the information for GarageBand revealed it will soon be a free download for qualifying iOS 7 devices.


“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.”


It’s not clear whether iOS 7 devices will need to be newly activated in order to qualify for the free GarageBand download, but we are sure to hear more about it at tomorrow’s iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 event.


It’s heavily rumoured that Apple will use the October 22 event to unveil the new versions of the iLife and iWork apps for iOS 7.


Although the dedicated pages for the new versions weren’t available for the brief time the new icons appeared on the Apple site, the blurb did offer hints to some of the new features.


It seems Apple will over photo books and printing within the iPhoto app, and a new iMovie Theatre functionality for iMovie.


“And with the new iMovie Theatre, screen them all on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac – even on your HDTV via Apple TV. It’s like having your own personal theatre, everywhere you go,” reads the iMovie blurb.


Apple is also expected to unveiled new web-based iWork for iCloud offerings and new iLife and iWork update for Mac OS X too.


Next, read our pick of the best new OS X Mavericks features.


New iWork and iLife apps