Apple Previews Freeform App For Real-Time Collaboration Via FaceTime

Last Updated on June 9, 2022 by Anu Joy

Apple is developing a new whiteboard app called Freeform to facilitate real-time collaborate between participants. The app will be available on iPadOS 16 later this year. It is also arriving on macOS and iOS.   

Freeform is a digital canvas of sorts that incudes native FaceTime integration for collaboration. This means that multiple participants can brainstorm by adding notes and scribbles, right within the app. Moreover, it allows you to add pictures, files, and links. The app includes full support for the Apple Pencil when you use it with an ‌iPad.‌ Additionally, members of the group can view each other’s cursors while they’re working.

The Freeform app includes native support for Messages and FaceTime. You can commence a Freeform meeting by starting a FaceTime call. All the edits made by the participants will be recorded in a separate group thread in the Messages app.

Apple announced at WWDC 2022 that Freeform will be coming to iPadOS in an upcoming update. iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are scheduled to arrive in fall. However, there’s no word on whether Freeform will come bundled with the next-gen OS or if it will come in a later update.