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Apple unveiled a series of significant design and feature updates for all its operating systems at WWDC 2025, incorporating features that were previously available through third-party apps, a practice known as “Sherlocking” in the Apple ecosystem.
The Legacy of Sherlock
In the late ’90s, Apple introduced a search app called Sherlock for Mac OS 8, enabling users to search the web and local files. This move impacted Karelia Software, the developer of the $29 search app Watson, which offered enhanced internet search capabilities. Apple’s release of Sherlock 3 in 2002, with features resembling Watson, led to Karelia discontinuing its app. Since then, the term “Sherlocking” has been used when Apple introduces a feature that replicates an existing third-party app.
Spotlight App on macOS
The new Spotlight app on macOS has similarities to Raycast and Launch Bar. Apple’s Spotlight search for Mac now suggests apps and commands, mirroring Raycast’s functionality. Users can access items from active window menus and define shortcuts for specific actions. Support for the Intents API allows developers to integrate actions from their apps. Notably, Raycast expanded to Windows and iOS last year.
Flight Tracking via Live Activities
Flighty, an app for tracking flights and managing check-ins, faced competition as Apple updated Wallet in iOS 26 to offer flight status sharing through Live Activities. Maps will provide navigation assistance within airports, a feature already available in Flighty.
AI Model Integration with XCode
Apple introduced ChatGPT as the default assistant for Xcode 26 and enabled developers to connect other AI models using API keys. This move competes with Alex for Xcode, an app assisting developers in various tasks related to coding.
Record Podcasts Locally
iPad users now have a Local Capture feature for recording videos using any video calling app. This feature aligns with what Riverside has offered for years, including a comprehensive editing suite. The effectiveness and capabilities of Apple’s editing tools for recording and editing podcasts remain to be seen.
Notes for Apple Watch
With the WatchOS 26 update, Apple introduced the official Notes app for Apple Watch, offering similar functionalities to existing note-taking apps for the wearable device.
Call Screening
Robokiller and Truecaller are among the apps potentially impacted by Apple’s call screening feature, which aims to enhance user experience in managing incoming calls.
Apple has announced that iOS 26 will introduce a new Call Assist feature that allows users to handle calls from unknown numbers discreetly. The feature can identify the caller’s name and reason for calling, giving users the option to accept or reject the call. Additionally, users can type a response to ask the caller more questions. Robokiller and Truecaller also provide similar functionalities, along with SMS spam protection.
Parcel tracking
Apple’s Wallet app now includes parcel tracking capabilities, utilizing Apple Intelligence to monitor and summarize order statuses by analyzing emails from merchants and delivery services. This feature competes with existing tracking apps that rely on tracking numbers for order monitoring.
What lies ahead
Apple’s trend of incorporating features popularized by third-party apps may pose a challenge for apps with limited functionalities. Nevertheless, developers have observed that Apple’s implementation of these features often raises awareness among users, some of whom prefer third-party apps for a more tailored experience. For instance, previously “Sherlocked” apps like Bezel for iPhone Mirroring and Unite for web apps on Mac have updated their versions to offer additional features catering to specific user needs.
