Apple acquires Pixelmator to boost its photo editing features

• Pixelmator, a renowned image editing software developer, announced on Friday that it has signed an agreement to be acquired by Apple.
• The Pixelmator team will be joining Apple, and existing applications such as Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator will not undergo significant changes.

What happened

Pixelmator announced on Friday that it is being acquired by Apple. Regulatory authorities still need to approve the acquisition, and the company has not disclosed the specific financial terms. Entrepreneurs founded Pixelmator in 2007, and they headquartered the company in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It is one of the first tech companies in Lithuania that does not rely on external investment. Users highly regard Pixelmator for its image editing software on iPhone and Mac platforms, and these products compete with Adobe Photoshop in the field of image editing.

Apple aims to enhance its AI image editing capabilities and further develop its unique features through the acquisition of Pixelmator. The Pixelmator team mentioned that they are joining Apple and added that current apps such as Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator will mostly remain the same. The team also noted that joining Apple will allow them to reach a wider audience and make a greater impact on the lives of creative individuals worldwide.

Also read: Can Android devices create Apple’s live photos?

Also read: Apple launches ‘edit by text’ AI image tool

Why it is important

By acquiring Pixelmator, Apple can further strengthen its service ecosystem, particularly in the areas of image editing and creative software. This move helps to enhance user experience and satisfaction. People praise Pixelmator for its powerful image editing capabilities. Apple could improve the functionality of its own Photos app by integrating Pixelmator’s technology, providing users with more professional image editing tools. Apple could also leverage Pixelmator’s technology and talent resources to drive future innovation and research and development efforts, particularly in the fields of image processing and visual computing. Furthermore, Apple will integrate Pixelmator’s user base into its ecosystem, helping to expand its user base and increase user engagement.

This acquisition signals to the independent developer community that large tech firms are willing to acquire even small but promising companies. This could influence the entrepreneurial strategies and product development approaches of independent developers.