# Signals and Shadows — Futures and Foresight Journal

> Journal for futures thinking, horizon scanning, and strategic foresight. (iPhone/iPad app by Matthew Kerr.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signals-and-shadows/id6754225138 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Matthew Kerr](https://appshunter.io/developer/1831569707)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free (on sale, was $1.99)
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 43 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-01-02
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signals-and-shadows/id6754225138/reviews.md

## What is Signals and Shadows?

Signals & Shadows is a dedicated journal for futures thinking and horizon scanning. It helps you capture, analyze, and synthesize observations about the changing world around you.

Whether you are a strategist, designer, or curious observer, this tool allows you to document weak signals of change and spotting the shadows of declining systems.

Features:

CAPTURE SIGNALS Quickly log observations of emerging trends. Categorize them using the STEEP framework (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political).

IDENTIFY SHADOWS Note the systems and behaviors that are fading away or becoming obsolete.

ANALYZE IMPACT Rate the potential impact and probability of your observations. visualize them on a horizon matrix to prioritize what matters.

BACKCASTING Define a preferred future state and work backwards. Create step by step milestones to understand the path from tomorrow to today.

MEGATRENDS Synthesize multiple signals into larger megatrends. Connect the dots between isolated events to see the bigger picture.

PRIVACY FOCUSED Your data stays on your device. Zero tracking or cloud sync ensures your strategic insights remain private.

Start building your personal library of future insights today.

## Key features

- Capture signals of emerging trends
- Identify fading systems (shadows)
- Analyze impact and probability
- Visualize observations on a horizon matrix
- Backcasting to define future states
- Synthesize signals into megatrends
- Privacy-focused, data stays on device


## Frequently asked questions about Signals and Shadows

### What is Signals and Shadows used for?

Signals and Shadows is a journal designed for futures thinking and horizon scanning. It helps users capture, analyze, and synthesize observations about change, identify emerging trends, and understand declining systems.

### How does Signals and Shadows help with strategic planning?

The app allows users to document weak signals of change, identify shadows of declining systems, and analyze their potential impact and probability. It also features backcasting to define preferred futures and create milestones.

### What is the STEEP framework in Signals and Shadows?

The STEEP framework (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political) is used within Signals and Shadows to categorize observations and emerging trends, providing a structured approach to analysis.

### Does Signals and Shadows track user data?

No, Signals and Shadows is privacy-focused. Your data stays on your device, with zero tracking or cloud sync, ensuring your strategic insights remain private.

### What devices does Signals and Shadows support?

Signals and Shadows is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### What is the age rating for Signals and Shadows?

Signals and Shadows has an age rating of 4+.

### How often is Signals and Shadows updated?

Signals and Shadows was last updated on January 2, 2026, with version 1.0. The release date was also January 2, 2026.

### Does Signals and Shadows have ads?

No, Signals and Shadows does not contain advertisements.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2026-01-02

No release notes.

## More apps by Matthew Kerr

- [The Vibrant Radiant](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-vibrant-radiant/id6749646460)
- [Furvana](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/furvana/id6749653668)
- [Sober Balance](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sober-balance/id6749653791)
- [Zende](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zende/id6751255298)
- [SLOP FACTORY](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slop-factory/id6753857670)

All apps by Matthew Kerr: https://appshunter.io/developer/1831569707

## Related topics

[ars futuro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ars-futuro)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*