Apple’s App of the Year: A Surprising Tool for Everyone
▼ Summary
– Tiimo, an AI-powered visual planner designed for neurodivergent users, was named Apple’s iPhone App of the Year for 2025.
– The app combines a classic planner with an AI chatbot to help users manage to-do lists, daily tasks, and reminders.
– It originated from a 2015 research project in Copenhagen focused on neurodivergent teens and later evolved into a support tool for conditions like ADHD and autism.
– A hands-on review found the app’s AI assistant conversational and effective at creating tasks, with helpful features like automatic emoji matching and lock-screen reminders.
– The reviewer concluded Tiimo was highly useful for organizing their day, particularly for offloading mental tasks and receiving reminders to build consistency.
Apple’s selection for its top app of the year reveals a clear priority: empowering users to bring greater order and clarity to their daily lives. This year’s winner, Tiimo, is an AI-driven visual planning tool specifically designed with neurodivergent individuals in mind, though its intuitive approach offers benefits for anyone seeking better organization. The app cleverly merges a traditional planner with an interactive AI chatbot, available as a free download with a premium tier option.
Following its recognition as a finalist in Apple’s Design Awards the previous year, Tiimo clinched the prestigious title of best iPhone app for 2025, surpassing other notable finalists. The announcement provided a significant boost to its visibility, propelling it dramatically up the App Store rankings almost overnight. The company behind the app originated from a research initiative focused on supporting neurodivergent teenagers, eventually evolving into a dedicated tool for individuals with ADHD, autism, or anyone who benefits from visual scheduling. The founders recently secured substantial funding to further develop their vision.
To understand the practical appeal, I tested the free version over several days. Upon opening the app, the interface presents a clean, minimalist digital planner. The layout is immediately understandable, with four primary tabs for managing a to-do list, daily tasks, a focus mode, and a weekly overview. A small AI assistant icon sits in the corner, ready for interaction. The daily schedule is neatly segmented into morning, afternoon, evening, and flexible time blocks.
I began by using the AI chatbot to outline my week. The interaction felt natural and responsive; after a minor initial glitch requiring a repeated prompt, the assistant accurately interpreted my requests and populated my calendar accordingly. The system’s ability to automatically assign relevant emojis to each task was a particularly delightful touch that added personality to the planning process.
For my routine obligations, I input tasks like walking my dogs and taking medication. The AI handled these recurring items seamlessly, creating structured reminders without hassle. I then used the standard to-do list section for less frequent chores, manually adding items like doing dishes or grocery shopping. Even with manual entry, the app suggested matching emojis, though I could customize them if desired.
The real test came with the reminders. A notification precisely at 6 p.m. prompted me to walk my dogs, simultaneously initiating a focus timer. The option to play ambient music during the activity was a nice feature. While my dogs are their own reliable alarm system, the medication reminder on my lock screen proved invaluable, a simple nudge I often need.
For someone who typically avoids written lists and relies on mental notes, Tiimo offered a surprisingly effective solution. The ability to verbally dump tasks into an AI and receive structured, visual reminders provided a tangible incentive to complete them. Maintaining consistency can be challenging, but this tool presents a compelling and supportive framework for building better habits and achieving daily goals.
(Source: Business Insider)
