Apple has launched “Invites,” a new app designed to transform the way users create event invitations. Released on Tuesday, the app allows users to customize invitations for any occasion. Available for free on the App Store, Invites supports all iPhone models operating on iOS 18 or later. Additionally, the app is accessible via the web at icloud.com/invites, broadening its reach beyond Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple Invites integrates seamlessly with Maps and Weather, offering guests real-time directions and weather forecasts for their events. A unique feature of the app is its ability to create a Shared Album where participants can contribute photos and videos. This feature enables guests to save their memories and relive the event at a later time.
The app introduces innovative tools like Apple’s Image Playground for crafting unique images for invitations and Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools to compose personalized invites. Furthermore, Apple Music subscribers can utilize a collaborative playlist feature, allowing them to create a soundtrack that guests can access directly from the invitation.
Inclusive RSVP Functionality
“With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together,” – Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apps and iCloud
Apple Invites stands out with its inclusive RSVP feature, enabling anyone to respond to invitations regardless of whether they have an Apple Account or device. This broadens the app’s appeal and accessibility compared to existing solutions.
The introduction of Invites marks Apple’s latest instance of “Sherlocking,” a term used when Apple introduces features similar to those of popular third-party apps. The app enters a competitive market against startups like Posh and established services such as evite, Paperless Post, and Sendo Invitations. Notably, it shares similarities with Partiful, crowned Google Play’s Best App of 2024.
By integrating familiar capabilities from iPhone, iCloud, and Apple Music, Apple Invites simplifies the process of planning special events. Users can effortlessly blend music, imagery, and communication into cohesive invitations that enhance the event experience.
What The Author Thinks
Apple’s launch of the “Invites” app appears to be a natural extension of its ecosystem, offering a highly integrated and user-friendly experience for event planning. While the app enters a crowded market, its seamless integration with Apple’s existing tools and the inclusive RSVP feature may give it a competitive edge. However, the debate surrounding “Sherlocking” is inevitable, and it remains to be seen how it will impact smaller third-party developers.
Featured image credit: Hke3286 via GoodFon
Follow us for more breaking news on DMR