Apple News is currently experimenting with a game titled Quartiles for potential inclusion in iOS 17.5. In this game, players are tasked with arranging a grid of 20 syllables into five four-syllable words.
Similar to the popular New York Times game, Connections, Quartiles features a layout reminiscent of organizing words into cohesive categories, albeit with a distinct focus on assembling words from their components, akin to games like Boggle.
Although Quartiles deviates from the format of Connections, the appeal of finding groupings of four remains strong, as evidenced by the success of Connections, which has become the Times’ second most popular game, trailing only behind Wordle.
Apple News previously introduced crossword puzzles and mini crossword puzzles exclusively for Apple News+ subscribers. While some may find it peculiar for a news aggregator to invest in gaming, the strategy aligns with the success the New York Times has seen in this arena. The acquisition of Wordle in 2022 brought in a significant influx of new users, with game engagement surpassing news consumption in recent months.
Quartiles is currently in beta testing, with its inclusion in iOS 17.5 not yet confirmed. However, considering the New York Times expansion into game development, it appears prudent for Apple to explore new gaming ventures, perhaps with a preference for games with square-shaped elements.
