Oblique Strategies SE
Lateral Thinking for Artists
$3.99 · Designed for iPad
When the work stalls, the path forward is oblique. Access the definitive, minimalist edition of Eno & Schmidt’s deck. No ads, no data tracking - just the work.
Oblique Strategies SE is a premium, distraction-free environment for the 1975 Brian Eno/Peter Schmidt cards. Optimized for modern workflows while remaining faithful to the analog soul of the original deck.
Oblique Strategies is a deck of cards, each with a thought-provoking phrase to break routine thinking and encourage fresh perspectives. This digital edition brings the original and new decks to your fingertips, in a sleek, minimalist style true to the classic design.
Key Features:
• 100+ original and new Oblique Strategies cards
• Minimalist, distraction-free interface
• Daily inspiration with Home Screen widgets
• Works on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac
• Apple Watch app runs independently
• VoiceOver support for accessibility
• Shake your device for a new prompt
• Long tap to repeat the last phrase
• No data collected—privacy first
Whether you’re making art, writing, composing music, or brainstorming, Oblique Strategies SE is your pocket tool for creative breakthroughs.
One card to change your entire perspective - get started now.
more I wish I'd known about this years ago! I formerly toured in a metalcore band and now compose & produce ambient/psytrance electronic music. I came across Oblique Strategies while reading up on Brian Eno's process. I've often used constraints to attempt to get unstuck. However, these cards offer many more methods. I once read a book called "One great insight is worth a thousand ideas". These cards will lead to many great insights.
I wish I'd known about this years ago! I formerly toured in a metalcore band and now compose & produce ambient/psytrance electronic music. I came across Oblique Strategies while reading up on Brian Eno's process. I've often used constraints to attempt to get unstuck. However, these cards offer many more methods. I once read a book called "One great insight is worth a thousand ideas". These cards will lead to many great insights.
Update: Thanks for adding the widget option; however, the widget does not automatically update each day. It only changes when you go back and manually reopen the app. With the addition of the 5th generation of cards in the latest version, this app has climbed to the top of the ladder! As a musician and photographer, this app stimulates my creativity and productivity immensely.
Developer Response Hi,Thank you for your review. Just wanted to let you know that the last version will now change the widget quote every day.Have a best creative day !
Update: Thanks for adding the widget option; however, the widget does not automatically update each day. It only changes when you go back and manually reopen the app. With the addition of the 5th generation of cards in the latest version, this app has climbed to the top of the ladder! As a musician and photographer, this app stimulates my creativity and productivity immensely.
Hi,Thank you for your review. Just wanted to let you know that the last version will now change the widget quote every day.Have a best creative day !
A recent update seemed to have disable dark mode for the widget—would love a fix.A few more ideas for improvement...The widget card and in-app card should always keep in-sync. (Example: the widget updates each day, and when you open the app from same card should be displayed there—if you shuffle in the app the widget should match the new card too).The widget card should have a way to shuffle without opening the app or waiting a day—I suggest a little circle loop arrow dimmed and in the bottom center in the same position as the ‘plus’ in the app version.When you open the app please don’t show a splash screen—just go straight to the current card text.Very good app—make it just a little tighter and you’ve got 5 stars.
A recent update seemed to have disable dark mode for the widget—would love a fix.A few more ideas for improvement...The widget card and in-app card should always keep in-sync. (Example: the widget updates each day, and when you open the app from same card should be displayed there—if you shuffle in the app the widget should match the new card too).The widget card should have a way to shuffle without opening the app or waiting a day—I suggest a little circle loop arrow dimmed and in the bottom center in the same position as the ‘plus’ in the app version.When you open the app please don’t show a splash screen—just go straight to the current card text.Very good app—make it just a little tighter and you’ve got 5 stars.
The app is great and functional - and I love that there’s a widget! Just wish it was more functional. It doesn’t seem to rotate strategies or give you an option to refresh it. Only deleting the widget and then re-adding is what seems to switch it up, which is cumbersome.This would be the most useful widget in the App Store if it was a little more dynamic, I want to shuffle it easily as I flick thru my home screens between other tasks….please fix!!
Developer Response Great idea, thank you for the feedback. Currently the widgets are changing automatically approximately twice a day.
The app is great and functional - and I love that there’s a widget! Just wish it was more functional. It doesn’t seem to rotate strategies or give you an option to refresh it. Only deleting the widget and then re-adding is what seems to switch it up, which is cumbersome.This would be the most useful widget in the App Store if it was a little more dynamic, I want to shuffle it easily as I flick thru my home screens between other tasks….please fix!!
Great idea, thank you for the feedback. Currently the widgets are changing automatically approximately twice a day.
Crafting the experience. Every update is a step toward perfection. In this version, we have polished the "Liquid Glass" interface to be even more seamless and non-intrusive.
We’ve refined the app’s performance and interaction feel, ensuring the technology stays out of your way so you can focus entirely on the work.
• Smoother interface transitions.
• Refined visual clarity.
• Optimized for a distraction-free experience.
10.8 2d ago
Crafting the experience. Every update is a step toward perfection. In this version, we have polished the "Liquid Glass" interface to be even more seamless and non-intrusive.
We’ve refined the app’s performance and interaction feel, ensuring the technology stays out of your way so you can focus entirely on the work.
• Smoother interface transitions.
• Refined visual clarity.
• Optimized for a distraction-free experience.
10.7 Mar 20
Unlock fresh inspiration - now rebuilt for iOS 26 with the stunning new Liquid Glass design.
Get creative faster with interactive widgets (iOS 17+) that deliver instant prompts directly on your Home Screen or Lock Screen. Just tap to refresh - no need to open the app.
Enjoy a faster, more responsive Apple Watch app, with improved syncing and reliability - your creative companion for art, design, music, and writing, wherever you are.
Fully optimised for iOS 26, this update takes advantage of Apple’s latest technologies and the elegant Liquid Glass interface for a smooth, modern experience.
We’ve also polished and refined the app with visual improvements, performance enhancements, and bug fixes, making it more stable, cleaner, and more inspiring than ever.
Thank you for your creativity and continued support. Keep breaking blocks.
10.6 Jan 3
Unlock fresh inspiration - now fully optimised for iOS 26 and the new Liquid Glass design.
Interactive Widgets (iOS 17+): Get instant creative prompts right from your Home Screen or Lock Screen. Just tap to refresh - no need to open the app.
Faster Apple Watch App: Smoother, more responsive, and better synced - your portable muse for ideas in art, design, music, and writing.
iOS 26-Ready: Rebuilt to take advantage of Apple’s latest technologies and the elegant new Liquid Glass interface for a fluid, modern experience.
Polished & Refined: Visual fixes, performance improvements, and a cleaner interface make the app faster, more stable, and more inspiring than ever.
Thank you for your creativity and continued support. Keep breaking blocks.
10.5 11/22/2025
Unlock fresh inspiration — now optimised for iOS 26’s sleek Liquid Glass design.
Interactive Widgets (iOS 17+): Tap your Home Screen or Lock Screen widgets to get instant creative prompts - no need to open the app.
Faster Apple Watch App: Enjoy a more responsive, reliable experience with enhanced sync - your mobile muse for art, design, music and writing.
iOS 26-Ready: Built to leverage Apple’s new Liquid Glass interface and latest tech for an elegant, fluid creative experience.
Polished & Refined: We’ve solved visual glitches, fixed bugs and introduced performance tweaks to make the app faster, cleaner and more inspiring.
Thank you for your creativity and support. Keep breaking blocks.
10.4 10/21/2025
Unlock fresh inspiration - rebuilt for iOS 18 and Apple Watch.
Interactive Widgets (iOS 17+): Get creative prompts instantly from your Home Screen or Lock Screen. Tap to overcome creative block without opening the app.
Faster Apple Watch App: More responsive and reliable, with improved syncing — your pocket muse for ideas on the go.
iOS 18 Optimized: Designed to fully leverage the latest Apple technologies for a seamless creative experience.
Polished & Refined: Bug fixes and visual improvements for a smoother, more beautiful app.
Thank you for your creativity and support. Keep breaking blocks.
10.3 09/15/2025
Rebuilt for the Future: Experience Oblique Strategies like never before, fully optimized for the latest Apple technologies.
What's New:
Interactive Widgets: Get instant creative prompts right from your Home Screen and Lock Screen—tap for new ideas without opening the app (iOS 17+).
Faster Apple Watch App: Enjoy a more responsive and reliable companion for creativity on the go, with improved syncing.
iOS 18 Optimized: Seamlessly designed to take full advantage of the latest OS features.
Polished & Refined: Enhanced design and bug fixes for a smoother, more beautiful experience.
Thank you for your continued support and creativity!
10.2 08/04/2025
This major update rebuilds Oblique Strategies from the ground up with the latest Apple technologies, delivering a faster, smoother, and more responsive experience across all your devices.
What's New:
Interactive Widgets: Get instant creative prompts right from your Home Screen and Lock Screen. Tap for a new strategy without even opening the app (requires iOS 17+).
Faster Apple Watch App: Your companion for creativity on the go is now snappier and more reliable, with improved syncing to keep inspiration at your wrist.
Fully Optimized for iOS 18: Enjoy a seamless, modern experience designed to take full advantage of the latest operating system.
Polished & Refined: We've refined the design and squashed bugs for a more stable and beautiful path to your next big idea.
Thank you for your continued support and creativity!
10.1 07/11/2025
Get instant creative prompts—just tap your home screen widgets (iOS 17/18)!
The Apple Watch app is now faster, with improved syncing for creativity on the go.
Fully optimized for iOS 18 for a smooth, responsive experience. Refined widget design for all devices. Enjoy bug fixes and enhanced performance for seamless inspiration, every day.
10.0 06/16/2025
Unleash Instant Inspiration with Interactive Widgets (iOS 17 & 18): Tap directly on your home screen to refresh your Oblique Strategies widgets! No more app switching—just seamless, instant inspiration to keep your creative momentum going.
Creativity on the Go, Amplified (Apple Watch App Enhancements): Your Apple Watch app is now faster and more responsive, with improved syncing. Access your creative prompts quicker than ever, wherever inspiration strikes.
Optimized for the Future of Creativity (iOS 18 Optimization): Experience peak performance with full optimization for iOS 18. Enjoy a fluid, responsive, and immersive creative experience on the latest devices.
A Polished Experience for Every User (Improved Widget Design - Pre-iOS 17 Devices): We’ve refined the widget design for older iOS versions, ensuring a consistent and visually appealing experience for all users, regardless of their device.
Rock-Solid Stability, Seamless Creativity (Performance and Stability Improvements): We’ve squashed bugs and boosted performance to deliver a smoother, more reliable creative journey. Focus on your ideas, not on technical hiccups.
This update ensures Oblique Strategies SE remains your go-to tool for sparking creativity, no matter the device. Dive in and let your ideas take flight!
9.9 05/11/2025
We’re excited to introduce the latest update, packed with features and improvements to make your creative process smoother, faster, and more inspiring. Here’s what’s new:
Interactive Widgets (iOS 17 & 18)
Refresh your widgets directly from your home screen with a simple tap! This seamless interaction keeps your ideas flowing without needing to open the app.
Apple Watch App Enhancements
Stay creative on the go! The Apple Watch app now offers improved performance and faster syncing, ensuring your creative tools are always at your fingertips.
iOS 18 Optimization
This update is fully optimized for iOS 18, delivering smooth performance and the best possible user experience on the latest devices.
Improved Widget Design (Pre-iOS 17 Devices)
We’ve resolved design issues affecting widgets on older iOS versions. Now, every user enjoys a polished and consistent experience, no matter their device.
Performance and Stability Improvements
We’ve addressed bugs, resolved various issues, and implemented performance upgrades to ensure a seamless and reliable creative journey.
This update ensures that Oblique Strategies SE remains your essential tool for sparking creativity—on any device. Explore the new features and let your ideas flourish!
9.8 04/13/2025
Experience Enhanced Inspiration!
We’re pleased to announce the latest update, packed with enhancements designed to make your creative process smoother, faster, and more inspiring. Here’s a summary of the new features:
Enhanced Features
Interactive Widgets (iOS 17 & 18)
Refresh widgets directly from your home screen with a simple tap. This seamless interaction keeps your ideas flowing without the need to open the app.
Improved Widget Design (Pre-iOS 17 Devices)
We’ve resolved design issues impacting widgets on devices running iOS versions older than iOS 17. Every user now enjoys a polished and consistent experience.
iOS 18 Optimization
This update is fully optimized for iOS 18, ensuring smooth performance and the best possible user experience.
Performance and Stability
We’ve diligently addressed bugs, resolved various issues, and implemented performance improvements to enhance your overall experience. Our aim is to provide a seamless and inspiring creative journey.
This update ensures that, regardless of your device, Oblique Strategies SE remains your essential tool for sparking creativity. Explore the new features and let your ideas flourish!
9.7 03/11/2025
Tap Into Inspiration Like Never Before!
We're excited to bring you this latest update, packed with enhancements to make your creative process smoother, faster, and even more inspiring. Here's what's new:
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17 and 18: You can now refresh widgets by simply tapping them directly from your home screen, without needing to open the app. It's quick and seamless, designed to keep your ideas flowing without interruption.
Enhanced Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed design issues affecting widgets on devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17, ensuring everyone enjoys a polished and consistent experience.
Optimized for iOS 18: This update is finely tuned to run smoothly and efficiently on the latest iOS 18, delivering top-notch performance for the best possible experience.
Performance Improvements and Bug Fixes: We've been hard at work squashing bugs, addressing various issues, and introducing enhancements to elevate your overall experience. Our goal is to refine your creative journey and make it as seamless and inspiring as possible.
Whether you're using the latest tech or sticking with a trusted device, this update ensures Oblique Strategies SE continues to be your go-to tool for sparking creativity.
Dive in and let the ideas unfold!
9.6 02/09/2025
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17 and 18: Now, you can refresh widgets by simply tapping them, without needing to open the app.
Enhanced Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed design issues with widgets on devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
This update is finely tuned to run smoothly and efficiently on the latest iOS 18 version.
Additionally, this update boosts overall performance by fixing bugs, addressing various issues, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. Our goal is to refine your creative journey and make it even more inspiring!
9.5 12/29/2024
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17 and 18: Now, you can refresh widgets by simply tapping them, without needing to open the app.
This update is finely tuned to run smoothly and efficiently on the latest iOS 18 version.
Enhanced Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed design issues with widgets on devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
Additionally, this update boosts overall performance by fixing bugs, addressing various issues, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. Our goal is to refine your creative journey and make it even more inspiring!
9.4 11/04/2024
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17 and 18: Now, you can refresh widgets by simply tapping them, without needing to open the app.
This update is finely tuned to run smoothly and efficiently on the latest iOS 18 version.
Enhanced Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed design issues with widgets on devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
Additionally, this update boosts overall performance by fixing bugs, addressing various issues, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. Our goal is to refine your creative journey and make it even more inspiring!
9.3 09/30/2024
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17: Now you can tap the widgets to refresh them directly, without needing to open the app.
Improved Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed the widget design for devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
This update also boosts overall performance by resolving various issues, fixing bugs, and adding enhancements to elevate your user experience. It’s all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
9.2 08/18/2024
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17: Now you can tap the widgets to refresh them directly, without needing to open the app.
Improved Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed the widget design for devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
This update also boosts overall performance by resolving various issues, fixing bugs, and adding enhancements to elevate your user experience. It’s all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
9.1 07/04/2024
Interactive Widgets for iOS 17: Now you can tap the widgets to refresh them directly, without needing to open the app.
Improved Widgets for Older Devices: We've fixed the widget design for devices running iOS versions prior to iOS 17.
This update also boosts overall performance by resolving various issues, fixing bugs, and adding enhancements to elevate your user experience. It’s all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
9.0 06/20/2024
This update enhances overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to improve your user experience. It's all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.9 05/05/2024
Dive into creativity with our enhanced Apple Watch app and complications, allowing you to access Oblique Strategies from anywhere. This version introduces finely tuned random prompts and strategies across art, design, music, and writing—a rich source of inspiration.
Additionally, this update improves overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to enhance your user experience. It's all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.8 04/29/2024
Dive into creativity with our enhanced Apple Watch app and complications, allowing you to access Oblique Strategies from anywhere. This version introduces finely tuned random prompts and strategies across art, design, music, and writing—a rich source of inspiration.
Additionally, this update improves overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to enhance your user experience. It's all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.7 03/24/2024
Experience seamless creativity with the upgraded Apple Watch app and complications, enabling you to engage with Oblique Strategies from anywhere. This version introduces finely tuned random prompts and strategies for art, design, music, and writing—a rich source of creative ideas.
This update enhances overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. It's all about refining your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.6 02/25/2024
Seamless creativity is now at your fingertips with an upgraded Apple Watch app and complications, allowing engagement with Oblique Strategies from anywhere. This version introduces finely tuned random prompts and strategies for art, design, music, and writing—a wellspring of creative ideas.
Meet the dynamic lock screen widget, seamlessly adapting to your device's light or dark mode for a visually harmonious experience.
Furthermore, this update strengthens overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. It's all about smoothing your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.5 01/24/2024
Embark on a journey of renewed inspiration with the enhanced Oblique Strategies SE app. This version brings forth random prompts and strategies finely tuned for art, design, music, and writing, serving as a wellspring of creative ideas.
Accessing creativity is now seamless at your fingertips with an upgraded Apple Watch app and complications, enabling engagement with Oblique Strategies from anywhere.
Introducing a dynamic lock screen widget that seamlessly adapts to your device's light or dark mode, ensuring a visually harmonious experience.
Moreover, this update bolsters overall performance by addressing various issues, fixing bugs, and introducing enhancements to elevate your user experience. It's all about smoothing your creative journey and making it more inspiring.
8.4 12/20/2023
Crafting the experience. Every update is a step toward perfection. In this version, we have polished the "Liquid Glass" interface to be even more seamless and non-intrusive.
We’ve refined the app’s performance and interaction feel, ensuring the technology stays out of your way so you can focus entirely on the work.
• Smoother interface transitions.
• Refined visual clarity.
• Optimized for a distraction-free experience.
more Version 10.8 2d ago
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.
