Code within the newest iOS 18.3 developer beta signifies that Apple is engaged on a completely new system software, one devoted to occasion scheduling. This is what we find out about it.
On Tuesday, Apple launched the second developer beta of iOS 18.3. Whereas the replace itself did not introduce any noteworthy options, it seems the software program accommodates references to an as-of-yet unreleased inner software.
Initially found by 9to5mac, the app is generally known as “Invitations.” The web site claims it initially discovered proof of this app in an iOS 18.2 beta, however that each one references to it had been eliminated with the launch model of iOS 18.2. Now, the “Invitations” app has apparently resurfaced with Tuesday’s iOS 18.3 developer beta.
The app is prone to supply comparable performance to the prevailing Calendar software, which obtained a considerable improve in 2024 with the launch of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. The brand new and improved Calendar now allows you to schedule reminders from inside the software. It seems as if Apple has plans to proceed its enhancements to Calendar-related options via the unreleased “Invitations” app.
“Invitations” might supply a brand new manner of scheduling and organizing conferences or in-person occasions, as the appliance is alleged to be appropriate with iCloud, which lets customers sync their knowledge throughout a number of Apple-branded gadgets. There are seemingly no particulars as to which new options the app accommodates, although, however we all know that it communicates with a beforehand unused daemon in iOS 18 — GroupKit.
Whereas it is robust to say precisely what the app will be capable to do, Apple might need to make the assembly scheduling course of extra intuitive with it. With iOS 18, you possibly can schedule reminders from two separate purposes, and a brand new “Invitations” app might imply the identical factor for conferences and occasions. Given the title, it is probably that the “Invitations” app will characteristic a clear person interface devoted solely to occasions, conferences, and invites.
Which means “Invitations” has the potential to characteristic an summary of a person’s scheduled occasions, together with an inventory of invitees who confirmed their attendance. Apple might even supply integration with Apple Intelligence, letting customers add so-called Genmoji to invites.
That is all hypothetical, although, assuming the app ever sees the sunshine of day. Apple typically modifications in-development purposes forward of launch, as options get modified or scrapped solely. In 2024, for example, Apple renamed its Internet Eraser characteristic for Safari to the less-threatening Distraction Management, after receiving complaints from a number of publishing associations.
It stays to be seen whether or not or not the unannounced “Invitations” software will even obtain a full launch, however till then, the iOS Calendar app or third-party options must suffice for all event-scheduling wants. iOS 18.3 remains to be early in its beta testing section, so there’s an opportunity the app might debut within the coming months, although this appears unlikely.