Would you say Clips was the prior best new app? Not sure if that one has gotten much love, but it seems to still do stuff I wish other Apple-native apps had included.
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iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Include Updated Freeform App With 'Scenes' Feature
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I still don't get what the point of this is.
The lack of dark canvas in dark mode makes it uncomfortable to use for prolonged periods.
There’s other basic features missing from Notes but it’s too long since I played around with it to remember what they were.
There’s other basic features missing from Notes but it’s too long since I played around with it to remember what they were.
Given the name "Freeform" I was hoping that we would get some sort of revolutionary 3D modeling for Vision Pro through this app. Perhaps that was over optimistic...?
It's not for everyone — we use it in our studio a lot. If you aren't looking to visually organize ideas and content for a project then it's not much use for you unless you want to make your own personal mood board, which I don't know why. It's just like Miro, but I like it much better.
I don't know if "hate" is the right word. On the Mac, I think most people just ignore it because Mission Control has been around since 2011 and it does something similar, and it can be easily accessed with a quick flick on the trackpad or a single button press.
On the other hand, Stage Manager makes a lot more sense on the iPad, since there's nothing like Mission Control on iPad OS... but for some reason, the most recent poll I saw said only 8% of iPad users bother with Stage Manager. 🤷♂️
To organize projects, concepts and content in a collaborative space. I just used it this afternoon to group content, attach visuals for inspiration, and collect photos of paper wireframes for a project we're starting this week it's like a digital, portable whiteboard. I didn't think I'd care about it until someone else in the office used Miro to start a brainstorming session on a new project and then remembered this. This is much better, personally.
Holy crap you're right. I don't get it. Though I kinda figured it would be barebones for a while. But that seems like a really weird thing to leave out. Even Notes has it.
I’ve always wanted to be able to “link” to certain areas of the Freeform doc. Sounds like this will solve for it! Pretty excited for it.
Side note, have we ever had this much leakage around software? Hardware seems to be hemorrhaging leaks but software usually is pretty locked down.
Side note, have we ever had this much leakage around software? Hardware seems to be hemorrhaging leaks but software usually is pretty locked down.
The problem isn't the tablet, it's that there's no drawing tool in the macOS version of Freeform. Instant non-starter for me.
Freeform is actually a great tool for brainstorming or idea gathering. However, the lack of folders in the sidebar, inking features on macOS, pen tool on iPadOS, and having an option to have a black board instead of a white board is quite frustrating
Does my head in that this kind of stuff will be peddled as an innovative feature of iOS 18, rather than just a low fanfare app update via the store 
I’m actually using third party options that usually offer more features and versatility.
But yeah, having an infinite canvas to draw, elaborate mind maps, and collecting images, is an interesting tool for anyone using an iPad.
I’m afraid that the little changes described above for Freeform won’t make it more appealing than the third party apps I use on the iPad.
MindNode is the superior app and is actually decent value for money. For Freeform to replace it, I would want:
- Dark mode canvas, or canvas colours
- Folders or other nesting organisation in the document viewer
- Ability to draw on Mac
- Redesigned pop-up controls that are actually designed for Mac
- Improved rich links
Freeform remains Apple's absolutely most mystifying app. Why did they make a Figma clone? What's it for? I assumed we'd see some super slick 3-D aspect of this app when the Vision Pro launched, but no! Not at all!
So what... is... this
So what... is... this
I'm not a fan of web UI but would like to see a (native) cross-platform version of this as well as FaceTime and Messages.
OmniGraffle was great 15 years ago. It's kind of limping along now, and doesn't offer online collaboration like FreeForm does.
If Freeform were very useful or innovative, Apple would have a video ad for it … or do they?