Latest news with #Tapestry
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Design and development shop the Iconfactory is selling some apps —and AI is partially to blame
At one point, an app called Twitterrific was one of the most popular iPhone apps for browsing Twitter. These days, the company behind that app, and the many apps that followed, is struggling. And AI may partially be to blame. On Wednesday, the company known as the Iconfactory admitted it was at a crossroads and was putting up several of its apps for sale due to a lack of resources. While the announcement positioned the matter as a situation where the Iconfactory's app catalog had simply grown to include too many apps to keep up with and not enough time to do so, the reality is that the business today has no choice but to focus on the apps that offer a better return on investment. Side products can no longer be maintained, even if they have 'loads of happy and loyal customers,' as the Iconfactory's co-founder, Ged Maheux, says. The company says that it will continue to work on apps like Tapestry, Linea Sketch, Wallaroo, and Tot, but is accepting 'serious offers' for others. These sales will include intellectual property and source code. Of particular interest is that the company points to AI significantly affecting its business as the reason. 'ChatGPT and other AI services are basically killing @Iconfactory, and I'm not exaggerating or being hyperbolical,' Iconfactory developer Sean Heber said in a Mastodon post earlier this month. The issue isn't that people are using AI instead of mobile apps, but how vibe coding is affecting the need for app design firms like theirs. Besides building its own apps, the Iconfactory generated revenue by offering app design services, which include things like icon design (hence the name), app design, marketing asset creation, plus branding and consulting services. These services helped fuel the business that's now being destroyed by AI. 'I know nothing I say is going to get anyone to stop using ChatGPT and generating a new app icon in 5 minutes for the app that you also had ChatGPT write for you in a few hours, but I'm not sure what the rest of us are supposed to do about making enough money to, ya know, live,' Heber wrote. Another issue for the longtime app makers at the Iconfactory was the shutdown of its most popular app, Twitterifc, which was killed by Elon Musk in 2023 when the company (now known as X) officially banned all third-party clients. The move put Twitterific, Tweetbot, and other apps almost instantly out of business, leading the Iconfactory to plead with its users to decline their App Store refunds to help them stay afloat. That, too, has affected the Iconfactory's future, Heber admitted in his posts. 'First Twitter/Elon killed our main app revenue that kept the lights on around here, then generative AI exploded to land a final blow to design revenue,' he wrote. 'I think perhaps because @Iconfactory design is quite good people have this impression that we're sitting here on a pile of money or something and some huge powerhouse – nope. We've been barely making it since Elon/Twitter. There's only 6 of us and there's no war chest.' After shutting down Twitterific, the Iconfactory turned to the open social web as a way to generate a new revenue stream. It launched an app called Tapestry, which allows users to track sources across the open web, including RSS feeds, YouTube, Bluesky, podcasts, Mastodon, Reddit, Tumblr, and others. The app offers a variety of clever tools for organizing sources, making feeds, muting and hiding content you don't want to see, and more. It also offered a way for third-party developers to extend Tapestry with add-ons called Connectors, allowing users to add even more open feeds. That app will remain a part of the company's efforts for now, but even its future seems uncertain. For one thing, open social media platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky are still dwarfed by tech giants, which means consumer demand for something like Tapestry is fairly niche. As Heber shared, the app's Kickstarter was a bit of a 'Hail Mary' on the company's part, but people aren't subscribing in great enough numbers to make up for the revenue that Twitterific once brought in, he said. If AI continues to commoditize the business of app making, the Iconfactory won't be alone in suffering the consequences. But vibe-coded apps aren't necessarily what consumers need, not only because of the lack of human input, but also the lax security some of these apps offer. Reached for comment, Maheux agreed that AI had 'definitely put a damper on the design side of our services,' though it hasn't 'killed' the company yet. 'Many indie developers have adopted AI for an inexpensive or free solution for graphical work like app icons, which has been a core part of the services we offer. We still do, of course, but the frequency of developers coming to us for these services has declined greatly in the last few years,' he told TechCrunch via email. He also cited other factors impacting the business, like Apple's graphical system, SF Symbols, that developers can use instead. 'We've had to expand our offerings into other areas like UX consulting, coding consultation, and side revenue services to try and make up the revenue from this lost design work. Apple's introduction of Liquid Glass has offered some new opportunities for design work and consultation, and we've been working with a handful of companies on this, so that's been hopeful,' he noted. Updated after publication with company comment. Sign in to access your portfolio
TechCrunch
5 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Design and development shop the Iconfactory is selling some apps —and AI is partially to blame
At one point, an app called Twitterific was one of the most popular iPhone apps for browsing Twitter. These days, the company behind that app, and the many apps that followed, is struggling. And AI may partially be to blame. On Wednesday, the company known as the Iconfactory admitted it was at a crossroads and was putting up several of its apps for sale due to a lack of resources. While the announcement positioned the matter as a situation where the Iconfactory's app catalog had simply grown to include too many apps to keep up with and not enough time to do so, the reality is that the business today has no choice but to focus on the apps that offer a better return on investment. Side products can no longer be maintained, even if they have 'loads of happy and loyal customers,' as the Iconfactory's co-founder, Ged Maheux, says. The company says that it will continue to work on apps like Tapestry, Linea Sketch, Wallaroo, and Tot, but is accepting 'serious offers' for others. These sales will include intellectual property and source code, the company said. Of particular interest is that the company points to AI significantly affecting its business as the reason. 'ChatGPT and other AI services are basically killing @Iconfactory, and I'm not exaggerating or being hyperbolical,' Iconfactory developer Sean Heber said in a Mastodon post earlier this month. The issue isn't that people are using AI instead of mobile apps, but how vibe coding is affecting the need for app design firms like theirs. Besides building its own apps, the Iconfactory generated revenue by offering app design services, which include things like icon design (hence the name), app design, marketing asset creation, plus branding and consulting services. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW These services helped fuel the business that's now being destroyed by AI. 'I know nothing I say is going to get anyone to stop using ChatGPT and generating a new app icon in 5 minutes for the app that you also had ChatGPT write for you in a few hours, but I'm not sure what the rest of us are supposed to do about making enough money to, ya know, live,' Heber wrote. Another issue for the longtime app makers at the Iconfactory was the shutdown of its most popular app, Twitterifc, which was killed by Elon Musk in 2023 when the company (now known as X) officially banned all third-party clients. The move put Twitterific, Tweetbot, and other apps almost instantly out of business, leading the Iconfactory to plead with its users to decline their App Store refunds to help them stay afloat. That, too, has affected the Iconfactory's future, Heber admitted in his posts. 'First Twitter/Elon killed our main app revenue that kept the lights on around here, then generative AI exploded to land a final blow to design revenue,' he wrote. 'I think perhaps because @Iconfactory design is quite good people have this impression that we're sitting here on a pile of money or something and some huge powerhouse – nope. We've been barely making it since Elon/Twitter. There's only 6 of us and there's no war chest.' After shutting down Twitterific, the Iconfactory turned to the open social web as a way to generate a new revenue stream. It launched an app called Tapestry, which allows users to track sources across the open web, including RSS feeds, YouTube, Bluesky, podcasts, Mastodon, Reddit, Tumblr, and others. The app offers a variety of clever tools for organizing sources, making feeds, muting and hiding content you don't want to see, and more. It also offered a way for third-party developers to extend Tapestry with add-ons called Connectors, allowing users to add even more open feeds. That app will remain a part of the company's efforts for now, but even its future seems uncertain. For one thing, open social media platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky are still dwarfed by tech giants, which means consumer demand for something like Tapestry is fairly niche. As Heber shared, the app's Kickstarter was a bit of a 'Hail Mary' on the company's part, but people aren't subscribing in great enough numbers to make up for the revenue that Twitterific once brought in, he said. If AI continues to commoditize the business of app making, the Iconfactory won't be alone in suffering the consequences. But vibe-coded apps aren't necessarily what consumers need, not only because of the lack of human input, but also the lax security some of these apps offer. The Iconfactory hasn't yet responded to requests for further comment.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tapestry, Inc. to Host FY25 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Earnings Call
NEW YORK, July 31, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (ET), Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR) will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and year-end results which will be reported via press release earlier that morning. To listen to this Tapestry conference call, please dial 1-866-847-4217 or 1-203-518-9845 and provide the Conference ID 6514014. To listen to the audio webcast, please visit A telephone replay will be available for five business days beginning at 12:00 noon (ET) on August 14th. To access the telephone replay, please call 1-800-283-4641 or 1-402-220-0851. About Tapestry, global house of brands unites the magic of Coach, kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman. Each of our brands are unique and independent, while sharing a commitment to innovation and authenticity defined by distinctive products and differentiated customer experiences across channels and geographies. We use our collective strengths to move our customers and empower our communities, to make the fashion industry more sustainable, and to build a company that's equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Individually, our brands are iconic. Together, we can stretch what's possible. To learn more about Tapestry, please visit For important news and information regarding Tapestry, visit the Investor Relations section of our website at In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. We use each of these channels of distribution as primary channels for publishing key information to our investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPR. View source version on Contacts Tapestry, and Investors: Christina ColoneGlobal Head of Investor Relations212/946-7252ccolone@ Media: Jennifer LeemannGlobal Head of Communications212/631-2797jleemann@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Tapestry, Inc. to Host FY25 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Earnings Call
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (ET), Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR) will hold a conference call to discuss the Company's fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and year-end results which will be reported via press release earlier that morning. To listen to this Tapestry conference call, please dial 1-866-847-4217 or 1-203-518-9845 and provide the Conference ID 6514014. To listen to the audio webcast, please visit A telephone replay will be available for five business days beginning at 12:00 noon (ET) on August 14 th. To access the telephone replay, please call 1-800-283-4641 or 1-402-220-0851. About Tapestry, Inc. Our global house of brands unites the magic of Coach, kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman. Each of our brands are unique and independent, while sharing a commitment to innovation and authenticity defined by distinctive products and differentiated customer experiences across channels and geographies. We use our collective strengths to move our customers and empower our communities, to make the fashion industry more sustainable, and to build a company that's equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Individually, our brands are iconic. Together, we can stretch what's possible. To learn more about Tapestry, please visit For important news and information regarding Tapestry, visit the Investor Relations section of our website at In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. We use each of these channels of distribution as primary channels for publishing key information to our investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPR.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Tapestry Stock Is Cooling Off Despite Coach's Hot Streak
Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE:TPR) stock declined Tuesday as analysts reassessed its valuation despite ongoing strength in the Coach brand. Bank of America Securities analyst Lorraine Hutchinson downgraded Tapestry from Buy to Hold on Tuesday, raising the price forecast from $95 to $115. Hutchinson observes that while the Coach brand is set to deliver several more quarters of strong growth, the stock's 66% year-to-date rally, far outpacing the S&P's 9%, has brought its valuation close to fair the past decade, Tapestry has traded at an average P/E of 13x, ranging between 6x and 20x, and is now sitting at the upper end of that range. As a result, she has moved to a Neutral stance, despite raising the price objective. Hutchinson also anticipates a solid fourth quarter, forecasting EPS of 98 cents, matching management's guidance, and expects 5.4% sales growth and a 16.4% operating margin, while noting that a delayed Summer Sale may have boosted late-quarter sales, likely prompting an upbeat tone on the earnings call. Hutchinson notes that fiscal year 2026 guidance will be closely watched, with expectations for mid-single-digit sales growth and stable margins, balancing tariff-related pressures with some SG&A efficiency. The analyst highlights that Coach continues to perform well, driven by successful marketing and premium product appeal, but doesn't foresee management forecasting double-digit growth for the brand this year. While there's room for upside in fiscal year 2026 estimates, the analyst sees limited long-term margin expansion beyond Coach's already elevated 33.6% operating margin. On tariffs, Hutchinson sees management can maintain profitability over time, though mitigation efforts will take a few quarters to ramp; the analyst projects a 60bp fiscal year 2026 gross margin decline from tariffs, with full recovery by fiscal year 2027, assuming initiatives scale and higher tariff rates accelerate those adjustments. Price Action: TPR shares are trading lower by 2.35% to $107.83 at last check Tuesday. Read Next:Image via Shutterstock Latest Ratings for TPR Date Firm Action From To Feb 2022 Barclays Maintains Overweight Jan 2022 Citigroup Upgrades Neutral Buy Nov 2021 Argus Research Upgrades Hold Buy View More Analyst Ratings for TPR View the Latest Analyst Ratings Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Why Tapestry Stock Is Cooling Off Despite Coach's Hot Streak originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
