Today, the widely used photo-editing application Pixelmator announced its intention to become part of Apple in a blog post. This news was highlighted by 9to5Mac. The deal is still awaiting regulatory approval, and the Pixelmator team stated that no changes would be made to their applications at this moment.
Pixelmator offers two main apps: Pixelmator Pro, a robust professional-grade image editing tool available for a one-time payment of $50, and Photomator, a free editing app. The pricing of Pixelmator Pro makes it a more accessible option compared to competitors like Photoshop, which tends to have higher subscription costs.
Both apps are packed with useful features such as color correction, AI-driven background removal, and various illustration tools. Photomator has garnered accolades over the years and is compatible with Mac, iPhone, iPad, and the Apple Vision Pro.
While Pixelmator has assured users that there will be no immediate changes to its products, the outcome of the acquisition could bring about an array of possibilities. Previous acquisitions by Apple have resulted in different trajectories for the purchased apps; for instance, they have occasionally discontinued apps like Dark Sky while maintaining others like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.
The limited editing capabilities of Apple’s Photos app highlight how beneficial it could be to integrate the technology from Photomator, enhancing the photo-editing landscape on iPhones.
As for the acquisition’s approval, while it may face little to no hurdles, large corporate mergers often attract scrutiny from regulatory bodies. Historically, large-scale acquisitions, such as Nvidia’s attempt to purchase Arm, have faced rigorous examination and even rejection. If Apple continues acquiring smaller firms, it may also catch the attention of authorities.
