Apple has redefined the landscape of software development once again by integrating ChatGPT as the default assistant for its Xcode 26 coding tool. This decision highlights an unfortunate, albeit common, practice known as “Sherlocking.” He goes on to explain how Apple routinely develops features that duplicate the capabilities of independent developers’ flagship apps. This phenomenon, first observed in the late 1990s with the launch of the original Sherlock app, has affected various developers over the years, including notable names like Karelia and their application Watson.
The original Sherlock that shipped with macOS 8 introduced a revolutionary way for users to search the new web, but their desktop with local files. This new feature kicked off a wave of changes that significantly benefitted third-party app developers. When the 3rd version of Sherlock was released back in 2002, it added many features we’ve come to associate with Karelia’s Watson. Because of this, Karelia was forced to completely abandon its app. Since then, the term “Sherlocking” has been widely used in tech circles to describe situations where Apple creates a feature that encroaches on the territory of existing apps.
The Evolution of ‘Sherlocking’
The word Sherlocking dates back to Apple’s initial releasing of the Sherlock application. This innovative app provided users with a quick and hassle-free way to find and retrieve information. Since then, Apple has done little to change this pattern, frequently announcing and releasing features that copy or duplicate capabilities found in third-party apps. This approach has raised concerns among developers who invest significant resources into creating innovative tools only to find that Apple’s offerings directly compete with their own.
Over the last few years many apps have been ‘Sherlocked’, seeing their specific features consumed or duplicated by Apple’s releases. Riverside and Raycast have been through the wringer. They pushed out all these new AI features, only for Apple to almost immediately counter their moves with AI-powered things. With Riverside, users can easily record professional-grade audio and video content from anywhere. At the same time, Raycast has extended its availability to Windows and iOS, with productivity-boosting, generative … Read More … Both applications have had to adapt quickly in response to Apple’s competitive moves.
New Developments in Xcode 26
With the introduction of ChatGPT as the default assistant for Xcode 26, Apple aims to provide developers with a robust tool for coding assistance. By integrating this advanced AI model, developers can expect improved support for various tasks such as code generation, debugging, and even web searches. This AI-powered integration raises the bar for coding environments and is a clear demonstration of the increasing role that AI plays in expanding the capabilities of software developers.
In addition to making ChatGPT the default assistant, Apple is allowing developers to utilize other AI models through API keys. This flexibility allows developers to tailor their experience according to the unique requirements of each project, or simply their own working preferences. The inclusion of multiple AI models fosters a more versatile development environment and encourages innovation among third-party developers.
One of those other upstart competitors is Alex for Xcode, a Y-Combinator backed, Xcode based application built entirely to boost developer productivity. And Alex makes deep and powerful features available to users. You can do things like web searching, code fixing, terminal command running, and codebase searching with the click of a button. The presence of such an application highlights the competitive landscape facing developers as they navigate an ecosystem increasingly influenced by Apple’s initiatives.
Implications for Third-Party Developers
Apple’s Sherlocking practices go beyond just single applications. They question the long term sustainability of third-party developers in an ecosystem entirely ruled by one monolithic company. As Apple continues to roll out features that directly compete with existing apps, many developers find themselves at a crossroads. They must either innovate rapidly or risk obsolescence.
Robokiller, Truecaller, and other applications have long provided many of the same features that Apple is integrating natively. Each faces the challenge of maintaining user engagement and relevance in a marketplace where Apple routinely introduces competitive features. The existence of these third-party apps underscores the resilience of developers who continue to strive for innovation despite fierce competition.
Furthermore, Apple’s Local Capture feature on iPad allows creators to record videos using any video calling app, representing yet another instance where existing functionalities are enhanced by Apple’s offerings. These developments are a clear reflection of Apple’s continued attempts to develop a holistic ecosystem for its users. While they do this, they present unique obstacles for the indie creator.
