Apple has agreed to acquire Pixelmator, a prominent image editing application developed in Lithuania, as the tech giant looks to expand its portfolio of AI-powered creative tools. Pixelmator announced the acquisition on Friday, noting that the deal remains subject to regulatory approval. Founded in 2007, Pixelmator is best known for its powerful image editing software for Apple's platforms, including Pixelmator Pro and Photomator, both of which have become popular alternatives to Adobe Photoshop on iOS and Mac devices.
In a statement, Pixelmator expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that the company will "have the ability to reach an even wider audience and make an even bigger impact on the lives of creative people around the world." Pixelmator also assured users that no immediate changes are planned for its products, saying, "There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time."
Pixelmator's suite of products has garnered attention from Apple in the past, with its Pixelmator Pro app awarded Mac App of the Year in 2018. Apple has praised the company's use of machine learning and AI for automated color adjustments, object removal, and image retouching-capabilities that align closely with Apple's current focus on enhancing user experiences through advanced technology. "We've been inspired by Apple since day one, crafting our products with the same razor-sharp focus on design, ease of use, and performance," Pixelmator stated in its announcement.
This acquisition fits Apple's historical strategy of integrating smaller, specialized apps with innovative features or high-quality design into its ecosystem. In recent years, Apple has bought a handful of applications to enhance its native offerings. In 2020, it acquired Dark Sky, a weather app later integrated into Apple's default Weather app, and in 2017, Apple acquired Workflow, a popular automation tool that evolved into the Shortcuts app, laying the groundwork for Siri's expanded capabilities.
As an image editing tool, Pixelmator has become a staple for creatives seeking powerful yet accessible design software. Pixelmator Pro, offered at a one-time price of $49.99, stands as a less costly alternative to Adobe's subscription-based model, providing a wide range of tools for photo editing, graphic design, and digital illustration. Recently, Pixelmator Pro's updates have included an AI-driven masking feature that enables users to remove backgrounds from images with a single click, demonstrating the company's commitment to incorporating cutting-edge technology.
Apple's acquisition may further strengthen its recent expansion into AI-based editing with the debut of "Apple Intelligence," a suite of tools that allows users to enhance images, remove objects or people, and adjust colors automatically. By bringing Pixelmator into its fold, Apple gains a well-regarded platform with a user base already accustomed to Apple's design and technical ethos, potentially allowing Apple to introduce new creative tools or features across its ecosystem.
In Silicon Valley, Apple stands out for its relatively conservative acquisition strategy, focusing on smaller companies that add unique technology or talent to enhance its existing offerings. Unlike rivals such as Microsoft or Amazon, which have pursued high-profile deals like Activision and MGM, Apple's acquisition model seeks specialized apps and development teams that can seamlessly integrate into Apple's ecosystem without disrupting its overall product strategy. maintained, suggesting Pixelmator's potential longevity as a standalone app.
