Apple has unveiled a new application called Apple Invites, aimed at simplifying the process of event planning and sending out invitations. This app allows users to create various events like birthdays, graduations, and housewarming parties while managing RSVPs and guest lists all within the app’s interface. Not limited to just iPhones, Apple Invites is also accessible via the web.
To utilize the full features of Apple Invites, users will require a paid iCloud+ subscription to send out invites. This move by Apple is in line with its ongoing services strategy, where it introduces new paid subscriptions to cater to its vast user base of 2.35 billion active devices. The Services division of Apple has emerged as a significant revenue generator for the company, coming second only to the iPhone business with $25 billion in sales during the last quarter of 2024.
In a bid to compete in the event planning space, Apple is directly taking on Partiful, a startup that offers similar services established in 2020. Partiful emphasizes its platform-agnostic approach, ensuring compatibility regardless of the user or invitee’s device. The startup boasts a more interactive social planning experience with features like a Shared Photo Album, an interactive comment wall, and seamless guest connectivity before, during, and after the event.
Apple Invites is not just about event planning; it also incorporates Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of artificial intelligence tools. This feature assists users in generating images for invitations and even helps in drafting the event messages through Writing Tools. Additionally, Apple Intelligence enables users to share photo albums or playlists with the event attendees, enhancing the overall event experience.
Despite Apple offering several iCloud+ services for free, the company is encouraging users to upgrade to the paid subscription by introducing additional features like a VPN-style relay service, custom email domains, local security camera storage, and the ability to create temporary email addresses. The iCloud+ subscription starts at $1 per month for 50GB of storage and is part of larger subscription bundles that offer access to various Apple services.
While Apple has not disclosed the exact number of iCloud+ subscribers, the company recently announced having a billion subscribers across its services. This number includes those subscribed to apps through the App Store, in addition to direct iCloud subscriptions. Apple’s continual focus on enhancing its services and subscriptions underscores its commitment to offering a comprehensive ecosystem for its users.
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