The latest “Sherlocked” app

Hi frens,

If you’re using an iPhone, have you noticed there’s a new built-in app “Journal”? Apart from the built-in “Notes” app, the “Journal” app feels more private and personalized.

It almost immediately reminds me of another well-known journaling app “Day One”, awarded an Apple Design Award in 2014.

From the third party developers’ perspectives, that’s no strange to us. Apple has been taking ideas from the ecosystem for a long time. Back in the Mac OS days, the built-in “Sherlock” (later replaced by Spotlight, a system-wide search bar) copied features that were previously offered by a third party app, Watson. Since then, developers coined the term “Sherlocked” to describe such experiences.

From Apple’s perspective, upgrading the OS with new features has consistently motivated users to upgrade their software, or buy new hardware. That also benefits users to have new features for free.

After all, the market is competitive. While Apple offers Sidecar (use an iPad as a second display for a Mac) for free to all users, Astropad has to cater to creative professionals.

However, the market isn’t “fairly” competitive. I remembered “Duet Display”, the first app for mirroring Mac to iPad with a “wired” connection, which wasn’t allowed until “Duet Display” went on sale. Apple has decision-making authority for that.

Back to Apple Journal’s case, Day One has to compete with it by incorporating more features, too. Besides, Apple has offered the new Journaling Suggestions API for third party apps, and highlighted Day One as an example in the announcement.

That sounds more respectful, right?

Your friend,

Denken