Apple may be secretly developing a new app for iOS called Invites, which could potentially rival popular event invitation platforms like Evite and Partiful. According to findings in the iOS 18.3 beta 2 code by 9to5Mac, the tech giant is creating a new way to share invites for both in-person and online events.

Details about the app are still scarce, but it's believed that Invites will be integrated with iCloud and may have a web version hosted on iCloud.com. This could allow users to access and manage their event invitations across multiple devices. The app's functionality might not be limited to simple calendar invites, but rather provide a visually appealing way to share event details and track invitees.

The report suggests that Apple will utilize a relatively new internal framework called GroupKit to manage groups of people, such as invitees. This could enable features like easy group messaging and organization. Additionally, Apple might release a mini app for iMessage to access the Invites app, further expanding its reach and convenience.

If Invites does come to fruition, it could significantly impact the event invitation landscape. Apple's massive user base and ecosystem could give it a competitive edge over existing players in the market. The app's potential features, such as integration with iCloud and iMessage, could make it a more seamless and user-friendly experience for Apple device users.

It's worth noting that Apple has not officially announced anything or given any hints about when users can expect to try out this new app. As such, it's unclear whether Invites will be released as a standalone app or as an update to an existing Apple service. Only time will tell if Apple will indeed "Sherlock" the event invitation space with its own solution.

The development of Invites, if confirmed, would be another example of Apple's efforts to expand its services and software offerings. As the company continues to diversify its revenue streams and improve the overall user experience, it will be interesting to see how Invites fits into its larger strategy.