Apple Introduces Major Updates at WWDC 2025, Embracing Familiar Features to Enhance User Experience
At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple unveiled a series of substantial design and feature enhancements across all its operating systems. As has become typical, this year’s updates include several features reminiscent of those previously offered by third-party applications—a phenomenon commonly referred to in the tech world as “Sherlocking.”
A Brief History of Sherlocking
Apple’s journey into feature integration dates back to the late 1990s when it launched the Sherlock search application for macOS 8. Designed to facilitate web and local file searches, Sherlock entered a competitive landscape occupied by Karelia Software’s Watson, a paid search tool with added internet capabilities. The introduction of Sherlock 3 in 2002 mirrored many of Watson’s unique features, ultimately leading to the dissolution of Karelia’s application.
Since that time, “Sherlocking” has become a colloquial term to describe instances when Apple incorporates functions that overlap with established third-party applications.
Key Features Announced at WWDC 2025
Spotlight Revamped on macOS
Sherlocked Apps: Raycast, Launchbar
The newly reimagined Spotlight app on macOS draws comparisons with popular tools like Raycast and Launchbar. This update enhances the user experience by suggesting apps and commands within the Spotlight interface, allowing seamless access to files, applications, and shortcuts. Notably, Apple’s new "Actions" feature facilitates tasks such as creating calendar events, making GIFs, or organizing folders, mirroring capabilities found in Raycast.
Furthermore, Spotlight now grants access to menu items within active windows and allows users to create custom commands to execute specific actions effortlessly.
Flight Tracking Enhanced via Live Activities
Sherlocked Apps: Flighty
Apple’s update to Wallet introduces flight tracking functionality via Live Activities in iOS 26, transforming how users monitor their travel status. Previously lauded with an Apple Design Award, Flighty simplifies tracking personal and friends’ flights, while the Maps app now includes airport navigation features—such as gate information, food options, and restroom locations—similar to those offered by Flighty.
AI Integration in Xcode
Sherlocked Apps: Alex for Xcode
In a notable shift, Apple has selected ChatGPT as the default assistant for the Xcode 26 development platform. This update enables developers to integrate other AI models through API keys, creating a competitive advantage over existing solutions like Alex for Xcode, which allows for extensive functionalities including web searches and code assistance.
Local Podcast Recording on iPad
Sherlocked Apps: Riverside
A new Local Capture feature on the iPad allows content creators to record videos through any video calling application, with the option to share these recordings. Riverside, a platform specializing in this service, has established itself over the years, though Apple’s specific editing capabilities for podcast production remain to be seen.
Notes App Now Available on Apple Watch
Sherlocked Apps: Various note-taking applications
With the introduction of watchOS 26, Apple has officially made the Notes app accessible on the Apple Watch, a move that echoes features found in multiple note-taking third-party apps designed for the device.
Enhanced Call Screening Capabilities
Sherlocked Apps: Robokiller, Truecaller
iOS 26 introduces the Call Assist feature, which can silently process calls from unknown numbers, capturing the caller’s name and reason for the call to provide users with decision-making power. This feature directly competes with existing apps such as Robokiller and Truecaller that offer call screening and additional functionalities, including SMS spam filtering.
Order Tracking Through Wallet
Sherlocked Apps: Various package tracking applications
Wallet functionality has expanded to allow users to monitor order statuses by analyzing emails from merchants and delivery services, effectively emulating multiple existing tracking applications.
Future Considerations for Developers
Given Apple’s history of absorbing features from third-party applications, smaller-scale apps may face challenges in maintaining their market presence. However, many developers have found that Apple’s adoption often drives wider recognition of specific functionalities, prompting users to seek out third-party apps for more tailored experiences. Notable examples of previously "Sherlocked" applications, such as Bezel for iPhone mirroring and Unite for web applications on Mac, have since evolved to offer advanced features catering to specialized user needs.
In embracing these updates, Apple continues to shape the operating system landscape while posing significant implications for third-party developers across the software industry.
