Apple announced on Friday that more than 100,000 apps are now optimized for the Duo, its new foldable smartphone. The company stated that thousands of additional Duo-ready applications are being added to the App Store every day. This milestone addresses early concerns about the limited software support available at the device’s launch.
The announcement coincided with the release of over a dozen significant Duo-optimized applications. Major updates include Microsoft Word and Outlook, Zoom, and the Halide Mark III camera app. Shopping platforms Etsy and LTK, along with productivity tools Goodnotes and Extra, also received Duo-specific enhancements. These new additions join existing Duo-optimized apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Developer Support and Workshop Data
Apple provided data suggesting that some iOS developers required additional time to adapt their software for the Duo’s unique form factor. The company reported that more than 2,000 developers attended over 50 in-person workshops held across 19 cities globally. These sessions allowed developers to test their applications on Duo hardware with direct support from Apple engineers.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, highlighted the rapid adoption rate. “It’s been wonderful to see how quickly developers have embraced iPhone Duo, and we’re grateful for their creativity and innovation,” Prescott said in a statement. She added that the company expects the pace of updates to continue accelerating as more applications optimize for the Duo.
Hardware Demand and Shipping Delays
The Duo has experienced higher demand than initially projected, despite its premium price point. The device, which starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model, sold out within hours of orders opening. Current shipping estimates have moved into the next year. During a recent earnings call, Apple executives stated that it is “hard to predict” when the supply constraints causing these delays will improve.
While the software library is expanding, the user experience for non-optimized applications remains suboptimal. Unoptimized apps display a black bar on the side of the screen, reducing the available display area. In some cases, critical interface elements are hidden behind overflow menus, complicating navigation on the larger folded display.
Apple also listed numerous other applications updated for iOS 27 and optimized for the Duo. This extensive list includes Spotify, CBS, Tubi, BBC iPlayer, Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Facebook Messenger, Google Chat, ChatGPT, Grok Bot, Microsoft Copilot, Excel, PowerPoint, SAP Concur, monday.com, Canva, Tinder, Google Translate, Strava, and various news and weather apps. However, the rollout of these updates is not yet complete across all devices. Spotify, for example, still displays the black bar on review units, and the App Store has not yet indicated that a Duo-optimized update is available for all users. Apple expects these updates to roll out fully in the near future.
Source: TechCrunch
