13 December 2022
UPDATE
Apple launches Freeform: a powerful new app designed for creative brainstorming and collaboration
Freeform for iPhone, iPad and Mac makes visual collaboration easier than ever
Freeform is a brand new app available starting today, included in the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Freeform helps users organize and visually lay out content on a flexible canvas, allowing them to view, share and collaborate in one place without worrying about layouts or page sizes. Users can add a wide variety of files and preview them inline without ever leaving the board. Designed for collaboration, Freeform makes it easier than ever to invite others to work on a board together. Users can even collaborate with others while on a FaceTime call. Freeform boards are stored in iCloud so users can stay in sync across devices.
“Freeform opens endless possibilities for iPhone, iPad and Mac users to visually collaborate,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With an infinite canvas, multi-file upload support, iCloud integration and collaboration capabilities, Freeform creates a shared space for brainstorming that users can take anywhere.”
A canvas built for creativity with easy-to-use tools
Freeform is the perfect whiteboard experience for gathering inspiration and ideas in one place. The infinite canvas expands as content is added to the board for unlimited flexibility when working with many files or collaborating with others. Users can seamlessly move around the board with built-in gesture support.
The app offers a variety of brush styles and color options for sketching ideas, adding comments, and drawing diagrams. iPhone and iPad users can draw anywhere on the canvas with their finger, and with Apple Pencil support, Freeform makes it easier than ever to sketch ideas on the iPad while on the go.
Freeform supports a wide variety of files, including photos, video, audio, documents, PDFs, website and map location links, sticky notes, shapes, diagrams, and more. iPhone and iPad cameras can even be used to insert a photo or scanned document directly into the whiteboard. With a full shape library, Freeform gives users over 700 options to choose from, allowing users to change color and size, add text, and even create personalized shapes.
Users can drag and drop content onto the board from other apps, including Files and Finder, and with built-in alignment guides, it’s easy to keep track of the board. With Quick Look, users can preview content with a double tap without ever leaving the board, and multiple video files can be played at the same time to create a dynamic view. Content like images and PDFs can be locked into place on a whiteboard, and collaborators can then annotate on top of or around the object—making Freeform the perfect tool for sketching ideas on top of floor plans for a home renovation project or for coaches to map out plays on a picture of a basketball court.
A collaboration space
Whether a user works at a desk or on the go, Freeform is incredibly useful for independent projects or when collaborating with others. With the ability to work with up to 100 collaborators on the same board, Freeform creates a shared space for creativity when working on group projects or even planning a vacation with friends.
Freeform is taking advantage of the new collaboration features in Messages, which let users invite others to a Freeform card by simply dragging it into a Messages thread. All members of this thread will automatically be invited to the boards and can start collaborating immediately. When someone makes an edit, activity updates appear at the top of the message thread.
With FaceTime built right into the app, users can start a FaceTime call in Freeform by tapping the collaboration button at the top right of the screen. All collaborators can see others’ contributions as they add content or make edits with quick sync features and iCloud integration. Freeform boards sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and users can invite others via a link or email, and even export a board as a PDF or take a screenshot.
Availability
Starting today, Freeform comes free on all iPhones, iPads and Macs that support iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 or macOS Ventura 13.1.
Tap Contacts
Tara Courtney
Apple
Apple Media Helpline
(408) 974-2042
