iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Include Updated Freeform App With 'Scenes' Feature

[MacRumors]

With iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple intends to introduce a plethora of new features and enhancements affecting system applications and settings. Through industry sources, MacRumors has received details about the updated version of the Freeform app, which is set to include an interesting addition.

Known as "Freeform Scenes," the new feature will give users the option to select specific sections or "Scenes" within their boards for easier navigation. Once selected and named, users will have the ability to easily return to them after viewing other areas of the board. Users will have the option to edit scenes after the fact as well, and will even be able to collaborate with others in doing so. Our sources claim that Freeform Scenes will be compatible with iCloud, allowing for easier sharing and editing.

The controls for the Freeform Scenes UI will be located near the zoom controls, towards the bottom left area within the app. Users will see a new sandwich-bar type icon with three vertical lines, and tapping or clicking the icon will show the Scenes UI. The Scenes UI includes a bar with individual arrow icons for easier navigation between Scenes, along with a square icon between the two arrows. Clicking or tapping the square icon will present the user with additional options to select or navigate between scenes.

Apple has also developed the following keyboard shortcuts for Freeform Scenes:

• 
  Save – Shift + Command + S
  Next Scene - Option + Command + ]
  Previous Scene – Option + Command + [

Although this feature is in testing, it is worth noting that not all features make it to release, and Apple also sometimes delays new additions until a later version of iOS. While Freeform Scenes is in development for iOS 18 and macOS 18, it could be pulled or introduced at a later date.

For more details on what to expect with Apple's upcoming operating systems, check out our rumor roundup page for iOS 18.

Article Link: iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Include Updated Freeform App With 'Scenes' Feature

 

[coffeemilktea]

I wonder if Freeform Scenes will be one of those features that go on to become wildly popular... or if it'll be like Stage Manager or the Journal app, where Apple makes a huge deal about it only for people to use it for a few days before forgetting about it. 😅

 

[nortonandreev]

I forgot this app exists. Is anyone actually using it?

 

[Realityck]

Known as "Freeform Scenes," the new feature will give users the option to select specific sections or "Scenes" within their boards for easier navigation. Once selected and named, users will have the ability to easily return to them after viewing other areas of the board. Users will have the option to edit scenes after the fact as well, and will even be able to collaborate with others in doing so. Our sources claim that Freeform Scenes will be compatible with iCloud, allowing for easier sharing and editing.

Sounds interesting, the addition of scenes to Freeform. Another tidbit to add to what we see at WWDC 2024.

 

[frou]

I actually love Freeform and use it synced between all my devices for mind-mapping and just organising information spatially (infinite canvas).

One of the better all-new apps from Apple in a while. Any further development that indicates it's not just a "one and done" product is welcome!

 

[Kylo83]

Does anyone really use it

 

[winxmac]

A13 Bionic and newer but one more year for A12 Bionic is not too bad...

Full feature set will be available to A15 Bionic and newer...

 

[dannyyankou]

Before I see another "does anyone actually use this?" post, the app has 123,000 ratings and 4.6 stars on the App Store. So yes, people use it and like it. It's not for me, but I can see how it can be useful for brainstorming.

 

[ignatius345]

Sounds quite a bit like some of what Miro does. Freeform has the big disadvantage of being Mac only instead of browser-based. It can be hard to use some of Apple's tools the minute you start having to show things to clients.

I've played around a bit with Freeform for making little mockups or graphics, and it's not bad though.

 

[Arsenikdote]

I actually love Freeform and use it synced between all my devices for mind-mapping and just organising information spatially (infinite canvas).

One of the better all-new apps from Apple in a while. Any further development that indicates it's not just a "one and done" product is welcome!

I also enjoy it quite a bit. I didn't use it for a while and then tried it out on a project and now use it quite a bit! Like you I am hoping that the added features means that they plan on keeping it around for a while!

 

[75Batt]

I wonder if Freeform Scenes will be one of those features that go on to become wildly popular... or if it'll be like Stage Manager or the Journal app, where Apple makes a huge deal about it only for people to use it for a few days before forgetting about it. 😅

Just because you don’t use these features doesn’t mean it reflect the millions of other Apple users.

 

[tomtad]

I forgot this app exists. Is anyone actually using it?

Seemingly no

 

[GIZBUG]

Freeform, first app I delete on new device.
Who even uses that app??

 

[coolfactor]

I actually love Freeform and use it synced between all my devices for mind-mapping and just organising information spatially (infinite canvas).

One of the better all-new apps from Apple in a while. Any further development that indicates it's not just a "one and done" product is welcome!

I gave it a try, but there was a usability issue that made it less useful. Can't remember what that was, but maybe it will be addressed in future updates.

Freeform is an odd duck in the Apple universe. I wish they'd spend more time updating existing apps. Image Capture works, but could use some modernization. Finder still has decades-old UI elements that could be updated. The Get Info window comes to mind.

And that friggen' volume indicator ... still overlays the content. That was rumored to be moved to the side years ago.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I wonder if Freeform Scenes will be one of those features that go on to become wildly popular... or if it'll be like Stage Manager or the Journal app, where Apple makes a huge deal about it only for people to use it for a few days before forgetting about it. 😅

Every iPad user I’ve introduced stage manager to uses it all the time.
Definitely had a rough start, but almost 2 years later is very robust and functional.

 

[Qwaf]

I have a wacom drawing tablet for whiteboarding at work, I’d consider using this on mac if it actually had freeform pen input (even just using the mouse). Bizarre omission.

 

[coolfactor]

Sounds quite a bit like some of what Miro does. Freeform has the big disadvantage of being Mac only instead of browser-based. It can be hard to use some of Apple's tools the minute you start having to show things to clients.

I've played around a bit with Freeform for making little mockups or graphics, and it's not bad though.

That's my main holdout. While I do use some Mac-only apps, such as OmniGraffle, apps must offer the interoperability that makes them useful cross-platform. I can easily export individual elements, or the entire canvas, out of OmniGraffle.

 

[coolfactor]

I have a wacom drawing tablet for whiteboarding at work, I’d consider using this on mac if it actually had freeform pen input (even just using the mouse). Bizarre omission.

Can't a Wacom tablet work with any app as input? I'm not familiar.

 

[3xBoom]

Journal, Freeform, new emojies... "Courage, my ass"...

 

[Qwaf]

Can't a Wacom tablet work with any app as input? I'm not familiar.

It can, and therefore I only need a pen/pencil tool on the freeform mac app. But it doesn't have that as far as i can tell.

Freeform on mac doesn’t have any freeform pen/pencil tool.

 

[davidec]

I forgot this app exists. Is anyone actually using it?

I run a music studio and I make popular music making apps and plug ins. I couldn't live without it, I use it to make mockups of everything and send to UX teams and coders and it is just brilliant in how quick it is to throw together and create wireframes and assign comments to them. One of the genuinely useful apps that Apple has pioneered as opposed to a comes free with Mac version (Pages, Numbers et all as examples).

 

[Danilamak]

Sounds quite a bit like some of what Miro does. Freeform has the big disadvantage of being Mac only instead of browser-based. It can be hard to use some of Apple's tools the minute you start having to show things to clients.

I've played around a bit with Freeform for making little mockups or graphics, and it's not bad though.

Unfortunately, this is a business requirement to make any software piece hardware dependable

 

[Loismustdie1]

I wonder if Freeform Scenes will be one of those features that go on to become wildly popular... or if it'll be like Stage Manager or the Journal app, where Apple makes a huge deal about it only for people to use it for a few days before forgetting about it. 😅

I really don't get the hate with Stage Manager. I use it on both my Mac and iPad almost exclusively now.

 

[Rychiar]

thought I would use this but just never did

 

[ThomasJL]

With iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple intends to introduce a plethora of new features and enhancements affecting system applications and settings.

Let me fix that:

With iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple intends to introduce a plethora of new features and enhancements bugs affecting system applications and settings.