Freeform: a cooperative whiteboard made in Apple
The Freeform app was showcased at WWDC, but wasn’t part of the iOS 16 arsenal at launch (nor iPadOS 16.1 and the first version of macOS Ventura launched on October 24). This digital whiteboard designed for collaborative work is making its debut this evening with the final versions of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. To take advantage of it, all you have to do is launch the appropriate application on each platform. For Apple this new feature was designed to facilitate teamwork and bring your group’s ideas to life. Plan projects, gather your sources of inspiration, think of several or draw together. Also share files and insert URLs, documents, videos or audio content.
A good idea to refine
With Freeform, users have a huge whiteboard in which they can write notes, draw (with their finger or with the Apple Pencil of an iPad), add icons that can be can choose from a fairly extensive catalog offering categories such as elementary, geometry, objects, animals, nature, food, symbols, studies, arts, science, people, places, activities, transport, work or decoration, as well as integrating photos , videos or links. It is possible to move and zoom within the whiteboard in order to take all the necessary space in case of inspiration. Real-time collaboration is also included (although there are still occasional bugs), which will be perfect for brainstorming sessions. If the grip does not pose too many problems, the application still lacks a little finish. It is indeed easy to erase or modify any part of the content inadvertently (the famous Command-Z will then be a lifesaver) and the collaborative mode is still in its infancy on this first version. Let’s bet that Apple will improve these points with future updates.
