
Apple 'Sherlocks' Competitor Apps at WWDC 2025: Here’s What You Need to Know!
2025-06-11
Author: Ting
At this year's WWDC, Apple unveiled a plethora of exciting new features for its upcoming operating systems. However, the announcements have sparked concern among third-party developers whose apps may now be rendered obsolete, as Apple introduces similar functionalities — a phenomenon popularly known as being 'sherlocked.'
The term 'sherlocking' originates from the history of the 'Sherlock' search tool in OS X, which Apple refined by borrowing features from a third-party app called Watson. Watson's creators accused Apple of plagiarizing their work without credit, leading to the widespread use of the term to describe Apple's habit of overshadowing smaller apps.
Major Features Potentially 'Sherlocking' Competitors
Let’s dive into some key features from iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 that could spell trouble for popular third-party applications:
🌟 Enhanced Spotlight with Actions
This new Spotlight feature offers suggested apps and shortcuts, enabling users to create calendar events or even GIFs directly from their search results, effectively overshadowing apps like Raycast and LaunchBar!
📞 Call Assist with Screening
Silently screen unknown calls, capture the caller’s name and purpose, and respond with typed messages — all thanks to Apple’s innovative capabilities. This could severely impact competitors like Robokiller and Truecaller.
📦 Parcel Tracking in Wallet
Automatic tracking of your parcels, sourced from your emails, is now integrated into Wallet. Say goodbye to standalone tracking apps!
✈️ Flight Tracking via Live Activities
Users can now effortlessly track flights and share statuses via Wallet, while also getting navigation assistance in Maps. This will likely challenge popular apps like Flighty.
💻 AI Model Integration in Xcode
Apple has made ChatGPT the go-to assistant for developers in Xcode 26, leaving tools like Alex for Xcode in the dust.
🎥 Local Capture for iPad
Creators can now record videos from any video calling app locally, a feature that may shake up services like Riverside.
📝 Notes App for Apple Watch
The introduction of a dedicated Notes app for Apple Watch could spell doom for various note-taking apps on the platform.
🖥️ Allow in the Menu Bar (macOS Tahoe)
Users will have the power to control which third-party apps can display menu items, taking a jab at utilities like Bartender and Ice.
📋 Spotlight Clipboard Search (macOS Tahoe)
The ability to search your clipboard history — including text and images — directly from Spotlight is set to rival the functionalities of apps like Paste and Pastebot.
While many of these third-party apps might offer additional features that Apple hasn’t yet implemented, it remains to be seen how developers will adapt and innovate in response. The landscape is changing, and competition is heating up!
Have you spotted any other features that could potentially be 'sherlocking' rival apps? Share your thoughts in the comments!