Apple has acquired Workflow, a productivity app that lets users automate tasks on their iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. It allows users to connect their apps and create shortcut functions in strings of commands to automate certain tasks.
The app was created by a small team that includes Ari Weinstein, a former iPhone jailbreaker.
Workflow has been around for a few years, and it's similar to services like IFTTT (If This Then That) that allows people to group together actions that can allow them to perform complicated tasks with one tap.
"The Workflow app was selected for an Apple Design Award in 2015 because of its outstanding use of iOS accessibility features, in particular an outstanding implementation for VoiceOver with clearly labeled items, thoughtful hints, and drag/drop announcements, making the app usable and quickly accessible to those who are blind or low-vision," said Apple in its statement.
Apple in acquiring Workflow, along with the team of Weinstein, Conrad Kramer, Ayaka Nonaka and Nick Frey.
"We are thrilled to be joining Apple," said Weinstein. "We've worked closely with Apple from the very beginning, from kickstarting our company as students attending WWDC to developing and launching Workflow and seeing its amazing success on the App Store. We can't wait to take our work to the next level at Apple and contribute to products that touch people across the world."
After the acquisition, Apple makes the app free on the App Store. Workflow's existing integrations with apps are extensive and will continue to be updated.
