Apple’s Project Catalyst Could Bring New Messages And Shortcuts App To Mac

iOS and macOS have different apps, although the company has tried to create apps for both platforms, such as Messages, Calendar, Notes, and so on. Now, as far as Messages are concerned, the version on macOS doesn’t feel quite as robust compared to its iOS counterpart, but that could soon change.

According to developer Steve Troughton-Smith, it seems that he has come across some evidence that suggests that Apple could be using Project Catalyst to bring over some iOS apps to macOS, one of which includes the Messages app and also Shortcuts. As we said, macOS already has a version of Messages, but if Apple can bring the iOS version over, it will make it more robust and can also offer up a similar experience across both platforms.

For those unfamiliar with Project Catalyst, this is a framework that Apple has created to allow developers to bring their iOS apps onto macOS. While Apple has shut down the idea of merging iOS and macOS into a singular platform, by allowing developers to port apps over, it will help unify both iOS and macOS without necessarily combining them together.

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There is a whole lot of evidence in Catalina that they're working on a full, Catalyst version of Messages, much like Shortcuts for Mac. So, just like Shortcuts, I decided to cut to the chase and do it myself by calling the system frameworks. Voilà pic.twitter.com/IsXKrGpemd

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) June 19, 2019

Also by bringing Shortcuts over to macOS, it seems that users will soon be able to create their own Siri shortcuts that can be activated using their voice, similar to what they can already do on their iOS devices. Take it with a grain of salt for now, especially since there was no mention of this during WWDC, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Computers
Tags: Apps, iOS, macOS