This Week in Apps: SharePlay, Android Dev Summit & Congressional Hearings

This Week in Apps: A Recap of the Mobile World

Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the series dedicated to the latest developments in mobile operating systems, applications, and the broader app economy.

The app industry demonstrates continued expansion, achieving a record 218 billion downloads and $143 billion in global consumer spending during 2020. Android devices alone saw users spend an astounding 3.5 trillion minutes within apps last year. Currently, average daily app usage in the U.S. surpasses time spent watching live television; Americans now dedicate four hours daily to mobile devices, compared to 3.7 hours to live TV.

The Growing Significance of the App Economy

Apps are no longer simply a means of leisure—they represent a substantial business opportunity. Companies prioritizing mobile platforms held a combined valuation of $544 billion in 2019, a figure 6.5 times greater than those without a mobile focus. Investment in mobile companies reached $73 billion in 2020, marking a 27% year-over-year increase.

This Week in Apps provides a centralized resource for staying informed about this rapidly evolving industry, offering news, updates, funding announcements, mergers and acquisitions, and recommendations for new apps and games.

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Top Stories

Apple’s SharePlay Finally Launches

Apple’s SharePlay, a new FaceTime feature, required additional refinement before its initial release with iOS 15. However, with the release of iOS 15.1 this week, SharePlay—along with supporting app updates—is now available. This feature enhances the interactivity of Apple’s video calling platform and may strengthen user loyalty within the Apple ecosystem.

Despite the underlying complexity, SharePlay is designed for ease of use. A simple tap on FaceTime’s controls allows users to share their device’s screen or seamlessly transition to a co-watching app. The app will notify users upon arrival that it supports SharePlay and provide instructions for getting started.

Screen sharing allows for simultaneous viewing, though video co-watching may experience some lag. Apple intelligently prevents the display of sensitive notifications or pop-ups during screen sharing, ensuring privacy. Furthermore, end-to-end encryption provides security for both personal and professional use. (Further improvements are expected with the macOS Monterey release later this fall.)

The primary challenge to SharePlay’s adoption currently lies in app availability.

Apple has partnered with a range of launch partners, but users may need to search the App Store for “shareplay” to determine if their preferred apps are compatible.

Initial support includes apps like Apple TV+, Apple Fitness, TikTok, NBA: Live Games & Scores, Paramount+, Showtime, Kahoot!, Cameo, SmartGym, Flow, Moon FM, MUBI, Digital Concert Hall, Piano with Friends, Relax Melodies, LookUp, Heads Up!, CARROT Weather, Apollo, Night Sky and others. Disney+ will soon add support, as will ESPN, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Twitch, Pluto TV and more.

Notably absent is Netflix.

The reason for this omission remains unclear—is it under negotiation, a strategic maneuver, or simply a lack of interest? Netflix notably refrained from adding native co-watching features during the pandemic, unlike competitors. Given Netflix’s recent slower growth, SharePlay could represent a valuable opportunity for user acquisition.

SharePlay could also attract younger users accustomed to FaceTime and comfortable with multitasking on their devices.

In-App Events Now Live

A new marketing avenue for apps has emerged on the App Store. In-app events are now appearing, providing users with real-time information about happenings within their favorite apps and games. Rise of Kingdoms and Pokémon GO are currently promoting Halloween events, for example. These events could also be used to promote events like movie premieres or live sports in the future. Tapping an event card directs users directly to the event within the app. Users can also opt for notifications about upcoming events, share them with friends, or add them to their calendars.

Games adopting the feature include Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Clash Royale and Genshin Impact, with apps like Tinder, TikTok, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, HBO Max and ESPN soon to follow.

Weekly News

Platforms: Apple

• Apple released iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 beta 1, as well as watchOS 8.3. The iOS/iPadOS beta introduces the App Privacy Report, detailing app data requests, sensor usage, and data sharing practices. Other features include an updated Emergency SOS and a more readable Notification Summary.
• iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 were released to the public, bringing SharePlay support, ProRes video capture, improved Macro mode control, and COVID vaccination card integration.
• iOS 14.8.1 and iPadOS 14.8.1 were released, providing critical security updates for older devices.
• Apple now allows reviews of default apps, including Phone, Messages, Photos and Safari, among others. This move aims to level the playing field with competitors amid regulatory scrutiny.
• Apple updated its iOS 15 design resources website, simplifying access to templates, fonts, and other components.
• Applications for the Apple Entrepreneur Camp are now open for Black, Hispanic/Latinx, or female founders.

Platforms: Google

• Google held its annual Android Dev Summit, announcing updates for developers and showcasing new tools.
• Google announced Android 12L, an OS optimized for large screens, along with accompanying tools.
• The first alpha of Compose Material 3 and the first beta of Jetpack Compose 1.1 were released, offering Material Design 3 styling and improved features. Compose for Wear OS is now in developer preview.

Augmented Reality

Snapchat launched Halloween AR Lenses, including options for costume finding with Walmart, Halloween World Lenses, and spooky fashion Lenses.

Fintech

• Robinhood reported a revenue miss for Q3, causing an 8% stock drop.

Social

Instagram now allows all users to share links in Stories, replacing the “swipe up” gesture.

TikTok is testing a direct tipping feature for creators.

TikTok expanded its Video Kit feature to desktop, web, and consoles.

Twitter Blue added a “Labs” feature, offering early access to experimental tools.

Twitter reported 5 million new users in Q3, reaching 221 million monetizable DAUs.

Snapchat now has 100 million MAUs in India, partnering with Flipkart and Android vendors.

Facebook reported a revenue miss, citing Apple’s privacy changes.

Messaging

• Google’s Android 12 allows WhatsApp chat history transfer between devices, including iPhone to Android.

Streaming & Entertainment

• Spotify is now the leading podcast platform in the U.S., surpassing Apple Podcasts.
• Clubhouse added a Pinned Links feature for room creators.
• Amazon is developing a Clubhouse competitor, codenamed Project Mic.

Dating

• Hinge introduced “Voice Prompts,” allowing users to answer prompts with 30-second recordings.
• Chinese dating app Lesdo shut down, facing challenges in a hostile environment.
• Tinder remains the leading dating app in terms of paid subscribers.

Gaming

• Google Stadia launched a free 30-minute game trial for Hello Engineer.
• Amazon Luna announced new titles for November.

News & Reading

• Apple News expanded local news coverage to Charlotte, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

Health & Fitness

• Apple added COVID-19 vaccination card and test result support to Wallet.

Government & Policy

TikTok, Snap, and YouTube representatives testified before Congress regarding kids and online safety.

Apple is likely facing a DOJ antitrust lawsuit.

Security & Privacy

• Malware-laden “Squid Game” apps were found on the Google Play Store.

Funding and M&A (and IPOs)

💰 Fleksy, a Barcelona-based mobile keyboard software maker, raised $1.6 million in Series A funding.

💰 Social networking app OneRoof raised $1.2 million in seed funding.

📈 Indian payments app Paytm plans to raise $2.4 billion in an IPO.

🤝 Celeb video app Cameo acquired marketing and merch company Represent.

💰 Neobanking app Zolve raised $40 million in Series A funding.

📈 Brazilian neobank Nu filed for an IPO.

💰 Brazilian startup Gringo raised $8 million in new funding.

💰 Digital physical therapy app Hinge Health raised $400 million in Series E funding.

💰 Early-stage startup Groopit raised $2 million in pre-seed funding.

Downloads

Pikmin Bloom

Niantic launched Pikmin Bloom, an AR game inspired by Pokémon GO. Players collect Pikmin seedlings and create AR flower trails while exploring the real world. The game is currently available in Singapore, Australia, and the U.S., with a global rollout planned.

Matterport 3D Capture (Android)

Matterport brought its 3D capture app to Android, allowing users to digitize spaces for various purposes, including insurance, space planning, and real estate. The app is available on Google Play with a free account.