Sources indicate that Apple is on the verge of introducing a new iCloud service, known as Confetti, linked to the iOS 18.3 Calendar application. Here are three potential benefits this new service might offer compared to rivals.
What is ‘Confetti’?
Recently, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg revealed that Apple aims to launch its iCloud-based ‘Confetti’ service as soon as this week. He stated:
The festive name suggests the service will present a novel approach to inviting others to gatherings, events, and meetings. For years, Apple has been working on rejuvenating its calendar app — this new initiative could signify the start of a larger transformation.
My colleague Filipe Espósito was the first to uncover references to the existence of this service within the iOS 18.3 code, hinting at an ‘Invites’ app. Now, Apple appears to be on the brink of unveiling this new feature.
According to both reports, it seems likely that ‘Confetti’ will function as a cloud-based service integrated into the current Calendar app, potentially accompanied by an independent iMessage app.
While various applications and services provide similar scheduling features, here are three noteworthy advantages Apple might introduce.
#1: Free and ad-free
Throughout the years, I’ve tried various scheduling apps and platforms. Unfortunately, I haven’t encountered one that is both completely free and devoid of advertisements.
This is understandable, as services need revenue to cover their costs.
However, Apple generates the majority of its income from hardware sales. Therefore, creating a new scheduling feature and offering it for free to Calendar users makes perfect sense.
#2: Seamless multi-calendar use
By integrating the new ‘Confetti’ feature with the existing Calendar app, Apple can leverage one of its main advantages: the ability to aggregate various calendars.
Users can connect multiple calendars from different services within the Calendar app, including those from Google, Microsoft, iCloud, and beyond.
This consolidation of calendars will allow the ‘Confetti’ feature to provide a more streamlined experience for anyone managing multiple calendar accounts. While apps like Fantastical do a fantastic job of this, Apple is now poised to offer a similarly user-friendly solution to its vast user base.
#3: Photos app integration
Lastly, one feature I hope to see implemented in ‘Confetti’ is integration with the Photos app.
After attending a party or event, collecting photos and videos from fellow guests can be quite chaotic. While some friends might use AirDrop before leaving, others might rely on shared Google Photos albums post-event.
Due to the lack of a standardized method for sharing, many attendees end up missing out on sharing their post-event photos.
Apple could potentially embed Photos app functionality within the ‘Confetti’ feature, allowing event participants to effortlessly share their pictures directly from the Calendar event.
Additionally, a new type of Calendar notification could serve as a gentle reminder for attendees to share their photos a day after the event concludes.
Apple Calendar’s ‘Confetti’: Wrap-up
While Apple has maintained a largely stagnant Calendar app for years, changes are finally on the horizon. ‘Confetti’ seems to be an excellent addition to the recent user interface enhancements in iOS 18 and the new Visual Intelligence feature in version 18.3.
Once ‘Confetti’ is launched, users with iPhones should be able to organize gatherings and meetings more effectively, benefitting from a great, free feature integrated directly into the OS—an appealing advantage for Apple users.
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