#appleacquisition

Apple is Buying Pixelmator, an Image Editing App for MacOS and iOS

Apple’s recent acquisition of Pixelmator is a striking indication that it could be edging further into Adobe's long-held territory. This feels more deliberate than just expanding the macOS toolkit—it's a challenge. Adobe has reigned over design, photo editing, and creative software for decades, with products like Photoshop and Illustrator practically becoming industry standards. Yet with Pixelmator now in Apple’s camp, Cupertino might be rethinking that status quo, perhaps with more native integration and affordability for creatives.

Pixelmator has been known for its impressive, accessible alternatives to Adobe software. Its user-friendly interface and innovative features, optimised specifically for Apple devices, have long given Adobe a worthy competitor in the consumer photo-editing market. Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription model has often left users craving a robust, one-time purchase solution, which Pixelmator smartly filled with its buy-to-own model.

Apple’s motives, though, could extend far beyond a simple software acquisition. With Pixelmator, Apple now has control over an image editing powerhouse, and they’re likely to take advantage of that with direct iCloud integration, seamless macOS enhancements, and more of the Apple ecosystem perks Adobe can’t easily replicate. Imagine Pixelmator being optimised for Apple Silicon in ways that even Adobe’s dedicated macOS apps can’t keep up with—software that leverages every bit of M-series power Apple has to offer.

Apple’s refusal to support Flash on iPhones and iPads was, in some ways, a power move by Jobs to drive Adobe to modernise. Instead, it marked the beginning of a gradual end for Flash, which was finally phased out in 2020. The fallout with Adobe was significant for Jobs; he wanted partners that aligned fully with Apple’s vision of the future. For him, Adobe wasn’t it.

On the surface, it’s about making professional-grade tools more accessible, but Apple doesn’t make moves lightly. They have a chance to rethink the design suite for a new generation of creators who are drawn to the simplicity, power, and sleek design Apple products deliver. Adobe may still lead the pro market, but Pixelmator’s acquisition is a game changer that suggests Apple is ready to bring new heat to the creative software arena.