As these devices (and others) begin to form a "constellation" effect for users, having the ability to automate processes across devices with different form factors and interfaces is a big win.įourth, it's easy to see the system extending into Siri via its API, enabling people to use their voice to activate multiple automated processes. Third, the system works with various aspects of Apple’s hardware devices, from its iPad to the iPhone and Apple Watch. Second, it enables users to easily visualize the process for connecting various devices, which will be critical to facilitate interoperability through the Internet of Things (IoT). In my view, Apple’s acquisition of the team and app has several interesting aspects.įirst, the app integrates with numerous Apple devices, software programs and services in a similar way to IFTTT, a very popular platform-neutral automation service. The app, which has been available for $2.99, will be changed to a free app by Apple later today. Neither company has disclosed the acquisition amount or terms, although it is likely it was a sub-$10 million deal. The company originally created a DeskConnect app to make it easy to transfer items between iPhone devices and Apple Mac computers, so the team had previous experience dealing with Apple-only products and software.Īccording to a TechCrunch report, DeskConnect had "raised an unannounced seed round… in the range of a couple million from Lowercase, Eniac and General Catalyst."Īcquisition Terms, Rationale and Commentary The app was an Apple Design Award winner (as judged by Apple) and was also a best App Store app for 2015.īelow is a how-to explainer video about the Workflow app: The group created the Workflow app for iOS, which enables users to automate a series of tasks in and between applications for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch devices. Iceland and San Francisco-based DeskConnect was founded in 2012 by Ari Weinstein, Conrad Kramer, Ben Feldman and Nick Frey. It's a tiny acquisition for Apple, but a telling one, since it shows the company's intention of providing greater connectivity between apps, services and hardware as the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more prevalent. The app allows users to easily create automated functions between other software apps and run those automations on any Apple device, including iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad. It will definitely be interesting to see how Apple plans to use Workflow and its team in the future as its looks to make iOS devices, especially the iPad Pro, capable of doing even more.Apple ( NASDAQ: AAPL) has acquired DeskConnect, the maker of the popular Workflow automation application. While the app has a bit of a learning curve, it does a great job tying in different apps and services on an iPhone and iPad. We’ve covered Workflow numerous times here at AppAdvice, including a recent look on how to get started with automation. “The Workflow app was selected for an Apple Design Award in 2015 because of its outstanding use of iOS accessibility features, in particular an outstanding implementation for VoiceOver with clearly labeled items, thoughtful hints, and drag/drop announcements, making the app usable and quickly accessible to those who are blind or low-vision.”o TechCrunch also received confirmation from Apple regarding the deal: We can’t wait to take our work to the next level at Apple and contribute to products that touch people across the world.” “We’ve worked closely with Apple from the very beginning, from kickstarting our company as students attending WWDC to developing and launching Workflow and seeing its amazing success on the App Store. “We are thrilled to be joining Apple,” said Weinstein in a statement. In one of the best pieces of news, the app will remain on the App Store and is now free. Apple will acquire the app and the team behind Workflow – DeskConnect.
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