Apple Inc. has confirmed its acquisition of Pixelmator, the developer behind a suite of popular high-end photo-editing apps that enhances Apple’s software offerings, particularly in photo editing. In this field, the company has not introduced a major application since the discontinuation of Aperture ten years ago.
Pixelmator, a company established by brothers Saulius and Aidas Dailide in Lithuania, has been part of the Apple ecosystem for some time and is frequently featured in Apple’s marketing campaigns. The apps are well-regarded for their user-friendly interfaces that align closely with Apple’s design ethos.
The acquisition, announced via a blog post on Pixelmator’s website, includes the transition of Pixelmator’s team to Apple. The company expressed enthusiasm about reaching a broader audience through this integration. Pixelmator Pro, their flagship app, offers advanced tools similar to those in Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator, such as layers and vectors. It integrates seamlessly with Apple-specific technologies like iCloud and the iPad’s Pencil.
The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Pixelmator Pro is currently available for $50 on Mac, and a standard version is offered for iPad and iPhone at $10. The company also provides Photomator, an editing app available across Apple devices. While immediate changes to the software are not planned, Pixelmator has indicated that updates will be announced in the future.
This acquisition aligns with Apple’s strategy of bolstering its professional software offerings, exemplified by the recent addition of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on the iPad through subscription services. The purchase of Pixelmator is one of the few acquisitions Apple has made recently, following the acquisition of DarwinAI earlier this year, as reported by Bloomberg News. Apple’s largest acquisition remains the $3 billion purchase of Beats in 2014.
