Earlier this fall, Apple acquired Pixelmator, marking a rare move for the company to purchase an established application. While much speculation exists regarding its future plans, Apple’s history with app acquisitions suggests a promising path ahead for Pixelmator.
Apple’s Proven History of Successful App Acquisitions
John Gruber recently discussed on Daring Fireball Apple’s track record in acquiring apps.
The entire article is highly recommended, as it details the various trajectories of different acquisitions over the years.
Here’s a condensed version featuring two key excerpts:
In the end, what we, as users, hope for following a beloved app’s acquisition by a major company is an outcome where its fans remain satisfied. This could mean simply maintaining the app, as seen with Logic, or integrating its core features into the OS, like with Dark Sky. Sometimes, there’s a combination of both, as illustrated by Shazam.
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Considering that Apple is a large corporation while Pixelmator is a smaller entity with unique applications, an analysis of Apple’s acquisition track record gives me no cause for concern. The company has shown a tendency to honor the integrity of appealing app acquisitions.
Reading this made me realize how much trust Apple has earned due to its successful app acquisition history.
The issue that often arises when a cherished app gets acquired by another entity is that these stories frequently do not have happy endings.
- New owners might overly focus on maximizing profits, ultimately diminishing the app’s quality.
- They might also neglect the app while contently profiting from existing revenue streams.
- Often, the talented team behind the app moves on, leaving a gap the new owners struggle to fill.
Such scenarios have been witnessed countless times, resulting in many fantastic applications losing their original appeal.
However, Apple’s record stands apart. As Gruber highlights, “Apple appreciates the artistry involved in creating excellent apps,” and “Pixelmator is simply too valuable to discard.”
It remains uncertain whether Apple will continue to operate Pixelmator and Photomator as they are for many years, incorporate their technology into the Photos app, or pursue a different strategy entirely.
Regardless of their intended direction, it’s essential to remember that this acquisition isn’t just another routine app purchase within the tech industry. Apple’s solid history in this domain suggests a bright outlook for Pixelmator.
What do you speculate Apple’s intentions for Pixelmator might be? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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