Apple has launched a new app called Apple Invites, designed to simplify event planning and invitation management. The app allows users to create digital invitations, share them with friends, and track RSVPs, making it a convenient alternative to traditional methods like text messages, Facebook events, or third-party apps.

The Apple Invites app offers a range of features, including the ability to add event details, such as time, date, and location, as well as customizable backgrounds, including AI-generated options using Apple's Image Playground feature. Users can invite friends by selecting from their contacts, manually entering phone numbers or email addresses, or copying a link to the event. The app also allows users to choose whether each person can invite others and send notes to invitees after the event is created.

The app's interface is user-friendly, with event information displayed in widgets, including a weather forecast and an Apple Maps box for directions. Users can also create a photo album for guests to view or add a music playlist using Apple Music. However, some users may encounter buggy behavior, such as invitations that won't load or trouble populating photo albums.

While Apple Invites offers a seamless experience for iPhone users, Android users may face limitations. To access an invitation, Android users need to enter their email address and a verification code, and they may need to sign up for an Apple account to view photo albums or access music playlists. This may lead to a less comprehensive experience for Android users, who will still be able to view key event details and RSVP, but may not have access to all the features.

The launch of Apple Invites has sparked accusations of copying from rival event invite app Partiful, which offers a similar experience but remains platform-agnostic. Partiful's cofounder and CEO, Shreya Murthy, stated that their app provides a more inclusive experience, allowing users to create and manage events without being tied to a specific ecosystem.

Despite these limitations, Apple Invites seems like a promising start, particularly for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem. The app's social purpose, as stated by Apple, is to "bring people together for life's special moments," and it may prove to be a convenient and user-friendly solution for event planning. However, the disparity in experience between iPhone and Android users may be a significant drawback for some.

As Apple continues to expand its services and apps, it remains to be seen how Apple Invites will evolve and address the limitations faced by Android users. For now, the app offers a solid foundation for event planning, but its exclusivity may limit its appeal to a broader audience.