Apple has acquired assets from Rabbit 3 Times, the developer behind Play, an award-winning app design tool. The European Commission published Apple's February acquisition notification this week after a mandatory four-month review period. Play enabled designers to create interactive prototypes using SwiftUI frameworks on both Mac and iPhone before syncing to Xcode.

The app earned an Apple Design Award in 2025 for innovation, recognizing its sophisticated yet accessible approach to interface prototyping. Apple praised Play's real-time collaboration features and seamless cross-device functionality in its official statement about the acquisition. The tool's removal from the App Store suggests this qualifies as an acqui-hire rather than a standalone product continuation.

This move signals Apple's continued investment in developer tools and SwiftUI ecosystem growth. By bringing Play's team and technology in-house, Apple gains expertise in rapid prototyping workflows that complement Xcode's existing capabilities. The acquisition follows Apple's recent emphasis on design innovation ahead of WWDC 2026.

While specific integration plans remain unclear, Play's real-time syncing and collaborative features could enhance Apple's suite of developer resources. The company has not indicated whether Play will return as a standalone product or merge into existing tools. This acquisition strengthens Apple's position in the competitive design tool market.