Apple Launches Digital Invitation App with Built-in Event Management Features

Apple Invites was released on Tuesday and offers features that could interest meeting planners looking for simple solutions for smaller corporate events and team gatherings.

The free app, which requires an iCloud+ subscription to create events, combines invitation creation with practical event management tools. It integrates with Apple Maps for directions and Weather for forecasts, while offering collaborative features like shared photo albums and Apple Music playlists.

The platform allows hosts to manage RSVPs, control event visibility, and share invitations through a web link. Notably, guests can view and respond to invitations without an Apple account or device, meaning Android users won’t be left out in the cold.

The app includes Apple Intelligence, the company's AI system, which helps users create custom event materials. Users can generate original images based on event themes or incorporate people from their photo library through the Image Playground feature. The system also includes writing assistance to help craft invitation text. However, these AI features are limited to newer iPhone models (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series) running iOS 18.2 or later.

This video from MacRumors, a site dedicated to Apple products, covers the details.

Industry Perspectives

In a LinkedIn post, Colja Dams, CEO of global event agency VOK DAMS, shared his early experience with the app. "I tested it with a fictional company meeting, and it was pretty handy: guest lists, event details, weather forecasts – all in one place. The shared photo album and playlist features were especially fun and practical."

Adam Parry, co-founder of Event Tech Live, praised the app's accessibility, calling it "a game-changer for organizing meetups and events." He highlighted its cross-device compatibility and quick invitation process as key strengths, along with practical features like real-time weather updates and shared photo albums.

Pedro Góes, CEO of InEvent, sees broader implications for the event tech industry. "It's the first major events app released by one of the Big 4 Tech Companies focused solely on events," he noted. While acknowledging the current limitations, Góes points to Apple's history of industry disruption: "If Apple adds payment integrations to their offering, well-known companies could be in trouble." However, he suggests that mature event tech companies focusing on advanced registration systems and access control may be less vulnerable to disruption.

Business Applications and Limitations

While primarily designed for consumer use, the app could serve small-scale corporate functions, team celebrations, and informal business gatherings. However, it lacks advanced features professional planners need for large-scale events, such as:

• Registration fee processing
• Custom form builders
• Attendee tracking
• Integration with professional event management software
• Multi-event portfolio management
• Complex ticketing options
• Compliance and security features

Apple Invites offers a clean, intuitive interface, a breath of fresh air compared to existing event platforms that often prioritize features over usability. The polished design and straightforward user experience demonstrate that event technology can be powerful and accessible.

While unlikely to encroach on the event tech platform space, its streamlined interface and integration-first approach could reshape how clients evaluate event technology platforms, potentially raising expectations for intuitive design in professional tools.

The app is available on iOS 18 or later through the App Store and at icloud.com/invites.