Cleverer than you think

Don't dismiss Invites, the new event-planning app from Apple.

Author

Leander Kahney
February 04, 2025

In partnership with

Perhaps the news of Apple’s new Invites app elicits a giant yawn? But hold on, it’s better than you think.

Invites is a new app/service for party planning.

At first glance, it looks something like iCards redux -- Apple’s underwhelming service from 2000 that allowed you to email custom postcards. (I remember sitting in the audience at Macworld when Steve Jobs introduced the feature. He spent what felt like hours demonstrating iCards, and no one could give af. Everyone in the audience seemed to be willing Jobs to move on to what we were really interested in — his signature “one more thing” keynote surprise.)

But I think Invites is really kinda clever. It integrates a bunch of Apple’s services in a smart and meaningful way that makes the experience useful and fun.

It’s a great example of Apple’s “whole widget” approach — how vertical integration of multiple Apple services and product features come together to create something that’s more than the sum of its parts.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • I gotta admit, I was looking forward to OLED screens coming to MacBook, especially after seeing pictures on social media comparing an OLED screen to an older LCD one: The difference in how they displayed the color black appeared to be dramatic. But our writer Ed Hardy, who owns both types of screens and can compare them directly, says it’s actually not that big of an upgrade.

  • This new portable storage drive for mobile devices like the iPhone is crazy-cheap for the capacity.

  • I really like my Beats Studio Pro headphones, and this new sale looks like a good deal.

  • Remember when the iPhone launched in 2007 and everyone freaked out about the $400 price tag, which was $400 more than most mobiles at the time (because many were free with a plan)? Those were the good old days. Most people today spend a lot more on their iPhones.

  • The new trailer for Berlin ER, Apple’s upcoming medical drama, looks gritty and gripping. Watch it now for a glimpse at the show, coming later this month to Apple TV+.

  • LOL yesterday’s poll results, which asked whether Cult of Mac readers are interested in earbuds with built-in heart rate monitoring. Personally, I’m very interested in such a device, but it appears I’m sadly alone. See below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

A message from The Rundown AI

Stay up-to-date with AI

The Rundown is the most trusted AI newsletter in the world, with 1,000,000+ readers and exclusive interviews with AI leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Demis Hassibis, Mustafa Suleyman, and more.

Their expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI and talking with industry experts, then distills the most important developments into one free email every morning.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Plan a party with the new Apple Invites app

Plan events with Apple Invites, a new app that lets users share invitations and photos, and collaborate on music playlists with ease.

MacBook Pro is just fine without OLED

Don’t hold off until 2026 getting a new MacBook Pro because you want an OLED display. It won‘t be worth the wait.

Get terabytes of storage on the cheap with speedy new SSD from PNY

Introducing the PNY Pro Elite V3: a high-speed mobile SSD with terabytes of storage capacity and up to 1,000MB/s data transfer rate.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Get $170 off Beats Studio Pro headphones

Today's Beats Studio Pro Pro deal gets you the great noise-canceling headphones for a great price -- just under $180.

Average iPhone selling price tops a whopping $900

The average selling price of iPhones continues to rise as the popularity of Apple's higher-priced models increases.

Get six months of Apple Music for just under $3

Apple Music is running its "biggest offer ever," providing six months of subscription to new users for less than $3.

A message from the Cult of Mac deals team

Price drop: This weather radar app gives you real-time data you can use

Stay ahead of inclement weather events with Weather Hi-Def Radar, a weather radar app that goes beyond your phone's usual weather alerts.

‘Berlin ER’ brings the pain in a good way [Apple TV+ trailer]

The new "Berlin ER" trailer shows evidence the German-language show will deliver raw, visceral realism along with its subtitles.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs considers buying Yahoo

On February 4, 2008, Steve Jobs reportedly considered acquired the search engine Yahoo. Apple could have teamed up with Disney to do it!

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

The reason I went back to Apple is that I feel like the world would be a better place with Apple in it than not. And it's hard to imagine the world without Apple now.

— Steve Jobs, 2010.

Today’s poll

Is the Invites app a good example of vertical integration or just more Apple lock-in?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: Are you interested in earbuds with a heart-rate monitor?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.