Pixelmator announced on Friday that it is being acquired by Apple. The image-editing platform didn't discuss what life might look like under the corporate umbrella, but did note there would be "no material changes" to its Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps - at least for now.

If Apple's acquisition history is any guide, that level of autonomy could change soon as Pixelmator's features are integrated directly into the Photos app. Pixelmator is currently available for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and visionOS, but not the Android ecosystem. I wouldn't expect that last bit to change any time soon.

The image-editing startup has been around since 2007, when it was founded in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius.

"Looking back, it's crazy what a small group of dedicated people have been able to achieve over the years from all the way in Vilnius, Lithuania," the company says in an announcement. "Now, we'll have the ability to reach an even wider audience and make an even bigger impact on the lives of creative people around the world."

A deal, subject to regulatory approval, is emerging as Apple gets aggressive on the integration of AI in its imaging applications. The Cupertino-based firm recently launched Clean Up in an iOS update. This feature, which removes unwanted elements from a photo, was deemed to be the response from the Apple stable to Google's Magic Eraser.
The company refused to comment on the story.