Apple introduced App Clips in iOS 14 in 2020. The idea is to allow developers to share parts of their apps with users, allowing users to experience the app's features without having to install the full version. Native iOS design app Play has announced an interesting new feature. This makes it easy for developers to share app prototypes through their App Clips (like this one).
Dan LaCivita, the company's co-founder and co-CEO, told TechCrunch over the phone that designers and developers are facing issues when sharing prototypes with their teams and users.
“If you're developing an app and want to share a prototype that someone can experience on their phone, they have to watch a video, try a web simulation, or install another app. Being a design tool, we can leverage all of Apple's system elements to provide a complete experience of using an app through prototyping,” LaCivita said about including the App Clip feature in Play.
He said that some of the above techniques may not adequately convey the functionality or the developer's intent behind the functionality. But App Clip does a much better job. LaCivita believes this will speed up the feedback loop for app makers.
Users can scan the App Clip's QR code, tap an NFC-enabled surface, or click a link to experience the App Clip on their iPhone.
Use App Clips as a testing medium
Apple has made several changes to App Clips as a medium in the year since it first introduced them in 2020. The company has gradually increased the size limit for App Clips from his 10MB to 15MB and now to his 50MB.
At WWDC last year, the company also introduced a way for developers to call App Clips from within another app. For example, you can order food through an App Clip directly from your Messages or Maps app.
Despite these feature additions, it's unclear how developers are adopting App Clips for testing and demos.
In June 2022, former Apple marketing executive Wiley said on a podcast that App Clips didn't initially catch on because it was launched during the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, we launched App Clips in the middle of a pandemic that has forced more people to stay indoors. was not in mind. The developer said it would be a bit of a wait. [to adopt App Clips] Everybody’s inside,” he said.
As AppleInsider pointed out in December 2022, App Clips also face discoverability issues as developers have to work hard to make them obvious to users.
company
Play last announced $9.1 million in funding in 2021 led by First Round Capital and Oceans Ventures. The company announced it has secured a $5.5 million seed extension for early 2023. M13 is run by Badrul Farooqi, a former Figma executive who led the round with participation from First Round Capital and Cursor Capital, and his Irregular Expressions.
Since the last round of funding, the company has launched a Mac client so designers can work with iOS elements on their desktop and data syncs across devices. A developer can also generate SwiftUI code to layout views in her Xcode.
Image credits: play
The company is also launching team and individual tiers with thousands of active users at all levels, and plans to launch an enterprise-specific tier soon. This year, the startup plans to launch features for developers to design more complex interactions. Additionally, Play plans to launch his library, a community where users can share what they've worked on.
LaCivita says Play may consider design tools for surfaces like the Apple Watch and Mac in the future, but is currently focused on iOS development.