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Apple Seemingly Working on New 'Invites' App to Manage Events

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple could be developing a new app that's designed to help users organize meetings and in-person events, if code discovered in the latest iOS 18.3 beta is anything to go by.

invites-calendar-app.jpg

References in iOS 18.3 beta 2 spotted by 9to5Mac suggest the app is called "Invites," and it will show users a list of people invited to an event and indicate those who have confirmed their attendance. The code also suggests that the app will integrate with iCloud, with a web version on iCloud.com also a possibility.

The app apparently taps into Apple's previously unused GroupKit daemon, which handles database models for groups of people. Little else is known about the app – it could be standalone, or it could be an integration with existing apps. Whatever it is, the Invites app sounds like it will offer more event-related features than those found in Calendar, which currently manages event invites through a rather simplistic interface.

The beta code references reportedly first appeared in one of the iOS 18.2 betas, before being removed from the final release. Now they're back in iOS 18.3 beta 2, but that doesn't guarantee that Apple will release the app. The company could just be experimenting with an idea that is ultimately nixed from iOS 18.3, or Apple could decide to hold it over for a succeeding software update.

Apple seeded the second betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 to developers on Tuesday for testing purposes. There are no new Apple Intelligence features in the updates, which will likely focus primarily on bugs and small software refinements. Additional Apple Intelligence functionality is coming in later iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates.

Article Link: Apple Seemingly Working on New 'Invites' App to Manage Events
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/09/apple-working-on-new-invites-app/
Anyone who has to manage this process manually using Evite knows how much of a racket that market is. I welcome Apple entering this space to breathe much needed life and competition.

The ads and upsells on sites like Evite are absolutely ridiculous.
 
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macintologist said:
Not at all. There is a real need for this. All it takes is having a kid and wanting to send out birthday party invites to know the need.
Click to expand...
The need to make invites better in the Calendar & Reminders App? Sure! Don't see the need for yet another app. And in turn, I'm sure the Calendar and Reminders Apps will probably see less love.
 
Lyrics23 said:
It would need to work well cross-platform to be useful. I won’t hold my breath.
Click to expand...
That would be a smart move. I’d also like to see it be able to integrate with 3rd party apps like BusyCal and BusyContacts.
 
Usually, I prefer smaller apps doing one single thing well (good old Unix philosophy), but with this one, I think there's some overlap with what's expected from a calendar app.

Still, if it generates a website with link you can share with friends that can be used without nagging everyone to create an Apple ID, that'd be a win, and certainly something I'd use a lot.

Knowing Tim Cook's priorities, I doubt you can use it without everyone involved needing an iPhone though.
 
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macintologist said:
Anyone who has to manage this process manually using Evite knows how much of a racket that market is. I welcome Apple entering this space to breathe much needed life and competition.

The ads and upsells on sites like Evite are absolutely ridiculous.
Click to expand...

A hundred percent agree with this… not to mention privacy concerns, which I imagine is an area where Apple wants to differentiate themselves. When I’ve used platforms like this in the past, I feel a bit disgusted handing over contact information for friends and family, not to mention how they probably feel getting a random text or URL to some random site to confirm their attendance.
 
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Apple should fix the Calendar app to handle reminders properly. Meaning, they should get rid of the Reminders app entirely, and further refine and consider each detail of the Calendar app—not ruin it like the Photos app, make it better, not worse. Reminders should be what events are called. Calendar reminders. Simple as that. KISS. Just because you can have a standalone app to do X, Y, or Z does not mean you should, like the camera button on the side of iPhones. Do not like that it exists. If it is to exist, it should be only on a "pro" or "ultra" iPhone, not any lower tier iPhones, and it should be an overtly robust physical camera button/dial thing reminiscent of old DSLRs, knurled, the whole bit. Sticking out like on Apple Watch Ultra. Not Touch Bar, round 2. The touch screen is right there. Silly.

In summary: bad, Apple.
 
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Mac Fly (film) said:
Apple should fix the Calendar app to handle reminders properly. Meaning, they should get rid of the Reminders app entirely, and further refine and consider each detail of the Calendar app—not ruin it like the Photos app, make it better, not worse. Reminders should be what events are called. Calendar reminders. Simple as that. KISS. Just because you can have a standalone app to do X, Y, or Z does not mean you should, like the camera button on the side of iPhones. Do not like that it exists. If it is to exist, it should be only on a "pro" or "ultra" iPhone, not any lower tier iPhones, and it should be an overtly robust physical camera button/dial thing reminiscent of old DSLRs, knurled, the whole bit. Sticking out like on Apple Watch Ultra. Not Touch Bar, round 2. The touch screen is right there. Silly.

In summary: bad, Apple.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I'm following you. Are you saying my wife and I should be sharing our grocery list in the Calendar app? As well as the projects I have going on around the house and at work?
 
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I’m not sure why this needs to be another app that we have to install on our devices.

Perhaps Apple will integrate this into the Calendar as part of iOS 19 in the fall. /s
 
Razorpit said:
I'm not sure I'm following you. Are you saying my wife and I should be sharing our grocery list in the Calendar app? As well as the projects I have going on around the house and at work?
Click to expand...
Calendar app would handle time-based reminders, and Notes app would manage task lists and details. Both apps would be updated to integrate these features.
 
MacRumors said:


Apple could be developing a new app that's designed to help users organize meetings and in-person events, if code discovered in the latest iOS 18.3 beta is anything to go by.

invites-calendar-app.jpg

References in iOS 18.3 beta 2 spotted by 9to5Mac suggest the app is called "Invites," and it will show users a list of people invited to an event and indicate those who have confirmed their attendance. The code also suggests that the app will integrate with iCloud, with a web version on iCloud.com also a possibility.

The app apparently taps into Apple's previously unused GroupKit daemon, which handles database models for groups of people. Little else is known about the app – it could be standalone, or it could be an integration with existing apps. Whatever it is, the Invites app sounds like it will offer more event-related features than those found in Calendar, which currently manages event invites through a rather simplistic interface.

The beta code references reportedly first appeared in one of the iOS 18.2 betas, before being removed from the final release. Now they're back in iOS 18.3 beta 2, but that doesn't guarantee that Apple will release the app. The company could just be experimenting with an idea that is ultimately nixed from iOS 18.3, or Apple could decide to hold it over for a succeeding software update.

Apple seeded the second betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 to developers on Tuesday for testing purposes. There are no new Apple Intelligence features in the updates, which will likely focus primarily on bugs and small software refinements. Additional Apple Intelligence functionality is coming in later iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates.

Article Link: Apple Seemingly Working on New 'Invites' App to Manage Events
Click to expand...
This being a separate app seems about as stupid as Apple Music classical being a separate app. I swear I don’t what’s going on in that Apple space ship anymore. Some real stupid design choices.
 
Razorpit said:
I'm not sure I'm following you. Are you saying my wife and I should be sharing our grocery list in the Calendar app? As well as the projects I have going on around the house and at work?
Click to expand...
So do you suggest killing Pages since you can write everything in Notes? With the new math tool who needs Numbers? Just use Notes. Heck you can even end Messages. Just share a note between users.

I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
 
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Oh great. An app that will probably be great but unusable because you never know if your friend has an android or not.
 
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