Apple Acquires Pixelmator, Enhancing Its Photo-Editing Software Portfolio

Apple Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire Pixelmator, a renowned developer of high-end photo-editing software. In a recent blog post, Pixelmator shared the news of its acquisition, indicating that its team based in Lithuania will become part of Apple. Founded by brothers Saulius and Aidas Dailide 17 years ago, the company is known for creating applications for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

The two businesses share a strong connection, as Apple has often promoted Pixelmator's software in its marketing campaigns, including at a recent iPad event. The design of Pixelmator's applications closely resembles that of Apple's own products, making them familiar to users of the iPhone maker's ecosystem.

Pixelmator expressed its enthusiasm in the announcement, stating that Apple has been a source of inspiration from the very beginning, and that this new partnership will enable it to reach a broader audience.

At the core of the business is Pixelmator Pro, which boasts sophisticated editing capabilities similar to those found in Adobe's popular programs, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Features like layers and vector editing are included, along with integration of Apple-specific technologies like iCloud, Shortcuts, and the Pencil for iPad users.

Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, confirmed the acquisition on Friday, although specific financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

This acquisition marks a significant step for Apple, providing users with a premium photo-editing application following the discontinuation of Aperture, its former Photoshop alternative, nearly ten years ago. The company has been enhancing its offerings for professionals, recently launching subscriptions for apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on the iPad.

The price for Pixelmator Pro is set at $50 for Mac users, while the standard version for both iPad and iPhone is available for $10. Additionally, Pixelmator provides a Photomator editing application across Apple devices. The company mentioned that there will be no immediate significant changes to its existing applications but hinted at future updates to be announced.

Although Apple has not been active in acquisitions recently, it did acquire DarwinAI earlier this year to enhance its manufacturing processes. The most substantial acquisition in the company’s history was the $3 billion purchase of Beats in 2014.