A new report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple may introduce its own journaling app. The app, codename “Jurassic,” aims to help users track their thoughts and activities for potential mental and physical benefits. It could be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June as a feature of iOS 17, which is expected to be released in the fall for iPhones.
Apple is considering an app that pulls usage data from a user’s iPhone to suggest topics for journaling. The app may also suggest writing about specific events, such as a change in daily activity or a workout. Additionally, there is talk of a feature that recognizes friends and colleagues that users frequently spend time within an “All Day People Discovery” function.
Based on documents reviewed by the WS, the data processing will take place on the device, and the journaling recommendations will be retained for four weeks before being erased.
Apple’s new app could compete with third-party journaling apps like Day One, which has led to accusations that the tech giant is “Sherlocking” developers. The term “Sherlocking” refers to when Apple develops a native feature that replaces functionality offered by third-party apps or services. This has been a recurring issue since the early days of macOS.
Paul Mayne, founder of Day One, expressed that hearing about Apple’s plans for Jurassic is not ideal, as it will bring competition.
Mayne has observed that the Day One app received recognition from Apple, such as a design award in 2014. However, he notes that Day One has not been as prominently featured in the App Store over the past three years, leading him to suspect that Apple may be planning to introduce a competing app.
If Apple decides to launch its own journaling app, it will have advantages over third-party developers like Automattic. One major advantage is that Apple does not need to monetize its app directly since it primarily sells hardware. Day One, on the other hand, offers a freemium model with the option to pay for additional features. Apple could also preload its software onto its devices and potentially access more user data like text messages and phone calls. The Wall Street Journal notes these benefits for Apple.
