At WWDC 2025, Apple previewed numerous updates across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 that replicate or incorporate features found in third-party apps, a practice known as “sherlocking.” The term originates from Apple’s earlier replacement of the Watson app with its own Sherlock search tool in OS X.
Key features Apple introduced that overlap with existing apps include:
- Enhanced Spotlight with Actions: Offers app suggestions, commands, and shortcuts to perform tasks like creating calendar events or making GIFs directly from search, overlapping with Raycast and LaunchBar.
- Call Assist with Screening: Silently handles unknown calls by capturing caller details and allowing typed responses, similar to Robokiller and Truecaller.
- Parcel Tracking in Wallet: Uses AI to track shipments by analyzing emails, replacing several package tracking apps.
- Flight Tracking via Live Activities: Displays live flight status and airport navigation details, competing with Flighty.
- AI Model Integration in Xcode: Integrates ChatGPT as the default coding assistant in Xcode 26 and supports other AI models via API, similar to Alex for Xcode.
- Local Capture for iPad: Allows local video recordings via any video call app for content creators, overlapping features offered by Riverside.
- Notes App for Apple Watch: Brings native note-taking to the Apple Watch, duplicating functions found in various third-party note-taking apps.
- Allow in the Menu Bar: macOS Tahoe lets users control which apps display menu bar items, similar to Bartender and Ice.
- Spotlight Clipboard Search: Enables searching clipboard history including text and images, supplanting apps like Paste and Pastebot.
While these updates replicate core features of existing apps, many third-party developers continue to innovate and offer advanced functionalities beyond Apple’s implementations.
MacRumors invites readers to share any additional new features from WWDC 2025 that may impact third-party apps.