Apple’s latest Global Developer Conference showcased the tech giant’s move towards “Sherlocking” – a term coined when Apple introduced features that closely resembled those found in third-party apps. The most infamous example being the Sherlock search feature that instigated a decline in an identically named third-party app.
In a similar vein, Apple’s conference included the unveiling of a standalone password manager for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, VisionOS, and Windows. Like third-party password managers, this new feature prioritizes integration with the operating system for a seamless user experience. However, it excludes support for Android, Windows, or Linux, and lacks the ability to store data like addresses and credit cards.
Apple has also integrated the recording and transcription of calls within its Phone app, removing the need for third-party apps to accommodate this need. This creation eliminates complex workarounds necessitated by Apple’s previous restrictions, thus providing a seamless and risk-free experience.
Other new features include voice transcription in Apple’s Notes application – a feature formerly offered by third-party platforms like Otter, AudioPen, and Voicenotes.com.
Apple’s move towards integrated app features
Although these platforms may offer advanced features such as AI-assisted summaries and formatting capabilities, Apple’s convenience of direct voice-to-text conversion could prove attractive to many.
Anotable addition will be the ability to mirror iPhones onto Macs and remotely access their devices, a feature previously exclusive to Bezel. Furthermore, the MacOS Sequoia update will boast of window tiling functionality, a feature familiar to Windows and Linux users via third-party apps. However, these third-party apps may retain users via advanced customization options.
Finally, the creation of custom emojis will be enabled in Apple’s software updates – a novelty formerly confined to third-party apps. Although these enhancements will certainly stimulate competition and innovation, the repercussions of these changes to the wider app market remain unknown.
These changes consistently echo Apple’s staunch commitment towards technological advancement and elevating user experience. It is clear that third-party developers will need to up their game to navigate this evolving app economy.
